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Congressman Cohen Commends Governor Lee for Making the Right Decision on the Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue

July 8, 2020

Cohen Has Long advocated Forrest Bust in State Capitol Be Removed

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today commended Governor Bill Lee for stating that he will recommend the bust of Confederate General and slave-trader Nathan Bedford Forrest be removed from the State Capitol and placed in the Tennessee State Museum when the State Capitol Commission meets on Thursday. Congressman Cohen, a former member of the State Senate, has long opposed the bust's place of honor in the State Capitol and has written a series of letters to both Lee and his predecessor, Governor Bill Haslam, asking for its removal.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"It's hard to overstate how offensive this bust is, particularly to African Americans. I'm pleased that Governor Lee has come around to a better understanding of how backward and wrong it is to celebrate the founder of the Ku Klux Klan, and a slave trader, in the halls where our laws are made. I commend the Governor for finally taking this stand, and I hope the State Capitol Commission and, ultimately, the State Historical Commission, will rid the state capitol of this shameful symbol of oppression."

Congressman Cohen has also asked Governor Lee, and asked Governor Haslam, to have the park in Benton County now named for General Forrest renamed.