Ringing in the New Year at the Traditional Lowery Prayer Breakfast
January 10, 2025 |
Dear Friend, To start the New Year, I joined friends and civic leaders at the traditional Lowery Prayer Breakfast, speaking about my hopes for the new year and work to be done in Washington. This week, I returned to our nation’s capital to pay my respects to the late President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda. I also introduced a Constitutional Amendment to limit presidential pardon power, urged Governor Lee to reconsider his decision to forfeit federal funding for a children’s summer meal program, introduced two bills to improve dining car service on long-distance Amtrak routes, announced grants to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shelby County’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, announced a mental health research grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and offered a blizzard-related health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Ringing in the New Year at the Traditional Lowery Prayer Breakfast Introducing a Constitutional Amendment to Limit Presidential Pardon Power Urging Governor Lee to Reconsider Decision to End Summer EBT Program for Tennessee Children Introducing Bills to Improve Amtrak Food Service Announcing $1.4 Million in Grants to St. Jude and Shelby County Announcing Covid-19-Related Mental Health Research Grant to UTHSC Ringing in the New Year at the Traditional Lowery Prayer Breakfast
Chief Davis, Congressman Cohen and Superintendent Feagins at the annual Lowery Prayer Breakfast on New Year's Day. On New Year’s Day, I attended the annual Lowery Prayer Breakfast, the 30th, and the first after a suspension during the Covid pandemic. Most of the political leadership of Memphis and Shelby County attended the event at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis organized by County Commissioner Mikell Lowery and his father, the former City Councilman Myron Lowery. I had the opportunity to speak to the gathering about what I am doing in Washington. I also talked with Memphis and Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn J. “C.J.” Davis. Memphis is fortunate these two talented women came to Memphis to serve our community. I want to thank the Lowerys for continuing this fine way to usher in a new year.
Top: Congressman Cohen took this picture Tuesday in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Bottom: All five living presidents attended the funeral in the National Cathedral This week, I returned to Washington to pay my respects to the late President Jimmy Carter at a memorial service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. On the same catafalque that held the body of the slain Abraham Lincoln, President Carter’s flag-draped coffin laid in state for two days. I witnessed hundreds and hundreds of young adults waiting in line three and four blocks away from the Capitol on the snow-covered sidewalks through the night in sub-freezing temperatures to pay their respects until the coffin was transported to Washington’s National Cathedral for a state funeral on Thursday morning. There, amid pomp and military precision, former Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump paid tribute and President Biden, along with civil rights leader and Carter’s U.N. ambassador Andrew Young, among others, offered eulogies. America and the world have lost a great and good man. Introducing a Constitutional Amendment to Limit Presidential Pardon Power
On Thursday, I introduced a Constitutional Amendment to limit a president’s pardon power. The pardon power is supposed to be a safety valve against injustice. It was not supposed to be a way for Presidents to put themselves, or their friends, family, lackeys, or co-conspirators above the law. I first introduced a version of this amendment during the 115th Congress, in 2017. I have been interested in rooting out corrupt uses of the clemency power for decades. In 1977, as Vice President of the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, I offered reforms to the governor’s pardon power to address questionable pardons by a Democratic governor. Party has never been a factor; it’s a matter of principle. The amendment would explicitly prohibit a self-pardon and pardons of family members, administration officials, and campaign employees. It would also bar the President from issuing pardons to those whose crimes were committed to further a direct and significant personal interest of the President or others close the President, and those whose crimes were committed at the direction of, or in coordination with, the President. Finally, the amendment also clarifies that no pardon issued for a corrupt purpose – past, present, or future – is valid. There is currently no substantive check on the President’s broad clemency power, making it ripe for abuse and self-dealing. See my release here. Urging Governor Lee to Reconsider Decision to End Summer EBT Program for Tennessee Children On Monday, I wrote to Governor Bill Lee asking him to reconsider a decision to end the state’s participation in a children’s summer food assistance program that helped 700,000 Tennessee children last year, and forfeiting $1.1 million in federal funding. Hunger should never be a barrier to a child’s success, especially in a state where so many families face food insecurity. Renewing this program is an opportunity to support working families, reduce child hunger, and build stronger, healthier communities across Tennessee. See my release and the letter here. Introducing Bills to Improve Amtrak Food Service
Also Thursday, as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I introduced the Train FOOD Act and Train EATS Act to restore the quality and charm of dining on Amtrak’s long-distance trains. These bills build on recommendations from the Food and Beverage Working Group to ensure passengers enjoy healthy, affordable, and dietary-friendly meals, including access to traditional dining cars. Please see the details in my release here. Announcing $1.4 Million in Grants to St. Jude and Shelby County On Wednesday, I announced I announced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shelby County’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. See that release here. Announcing Covid-19-Related Mental Health Research Grant to UTHSC
Also Monday, I announced a $284,772 grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for research on the mental health implications of COVID-19. See that release here.
President Bill Clinton came to LeMoyne-Owen College in February 2016
The National Weather Service advises that Memphis and the Mid-South are in for a major blizzard, with snow and freezing rain. Please be prepared for electrical outages and dangerous road conditions. See this graphic guidance from the Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. As I mentioned last week, also please be mindful of your pets’ health and safety in this harsh and unforgiving cold.
President Jimmy Carter Official Portrait “He showed us how character and faith start with ourselves and then flows to others. At our best, we share the better parts of ourselves — joy, solidarity, love, commitment — not for reward, but in reverence of the incredible gift of life we’ve all been granted, to make every minute of our time here on Earth count.” – President Biden eulogizing Jimmy Carter at his state funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday “I’ve known President Carter for more than half of my life, and I have never ceased to be surprised. I haven’t ceased to be enlightened, I never ceased to be inspired by the little deeds of love and mercy that he shared with us every day of his life.” – Civil rights leader and Carter’s Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young at the state funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday “Essentially, he eradicated a disease with love and respect. He waged peace with love and respect. He led this nation with love and respect. For me, this life was a love story from the moment that he woke up until he laid down his head.” – Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason, eulogizing the late president at his state funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
