Congressman Cohen’s Statement on the Passing of Bernal Smith II

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement on the passing of Tri-State Defender publisher and president Bernal Smith II:

"Bernal Smith was a strong voice for African-American business and culture," said Congressman Cohen. "Bernal published the historic Tri-State Defender and carried on its tradition as a beacon for social and economic justice in Memphis and everywhere. His untimely death leaves a void in his family and the lives of his many friends. My thoughts are with his family in this most difficult time."