Dear Friend,
This week, I was delighted to attend the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and am grateful our nation can begin putting the traumas of the Trump era behind us. I consider the new President a friend and I've worked with him and now Vice President Harris on a variety of issues when they were in their former positions. Much of the team they are assembling are tested veterans and advocates of policies that will benefit the people in the Ninth Congressional District immensely. We are off to a very hopeful start. In addition, on Monday, I commemorated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday and Day of Service. On Thursday, I introduced a bill that would rename the downtown Memphis federal building for Judge Odell Horton and remove the name of the former Congressman and segregationist for which it has been named jointly with Judge Horton since 2007. On Wednesday, we all woke up to the news that President Trump's last ignominious act was to pardon a series of corrupt advisors and convicted former Republican Congressmen, among many other ill-conceived acts of clemency, and I reminded the press of my efforts to prevent potential abuses of the pardon power by Constitutional Amendment. As Washington prepared for an inauguration just two weeks after the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, I expressed my appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the National Guard and law enforcement in making Washington safe, and I spoke to Major General Jeffrey H. Holmes of the Tennessee National Guard to offer my sincere appreciation for the Guard's sacrifices. On Thursday, I voted to provide an exemption for four-star Army General (ret.) Lloyd Austin from the requirement of being retired from active duty for seven years before appointment as Secretary of Defense and was pleased to see him confirmed earlier today. Also on Thursday, I announced some significant Memphis community health center grants. As the pandemic continues, and as part of my weekly health tip, I offered some solace that a competent response can now be expected. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens.
Attending the Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris
Commemorating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday
Introducing the Odell Horton Federal Building Act
Condemning President Trump's Final Corrupt Pardons
Expressing My Support for the National Guard Protecting Our National's Capital
Voting to Approve of General Austin as Defense Secretary
Announcing Major Memphis Community Health Center Grants
Weekly Health Tip
Quotes of the Week
Attending the Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris
I was delighted to usher in the dawn of a new and hopeful era Wednesday by attending the inauguration of my friend Joe Biden as President of the United States. It was beautiful to see the reaction to the swearing in of Vice President Kamala Harris as the first African American, South Asian American, and woman to serve as Vice President. It was extremely inspiring and emotional. The new President's call for unity while recognizing the enormous challenges our country faces showed the proper balance of steely resolve and sincere compassion we all need after the chaos and cruelty of the Trump years. The day was glorious with the magnificent young poet Amanda Gorman joining Lady Gaga, JLo, Garth Brooks, and esteemed preachers and speakers. I was especially thrilled later that evening to see the Virtual Inaugural Concert hosted by Tom Hanks zero in on Memphis and watch Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons and students from the Stax Music Academy perform "Better Days" in the street outside the Stax Museum at College and McLemore. Later, when I heard the "pop, pop, pop" out my window in D.C., I expected to look out and see police action but was pleased it was the evening's fireworks ending the show from The Lincoln Memorial. With Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, and tested and trusted veterans in important policy positions, the new Biden Administration brings hope and promise to our country and to the Ninth District.
Commemorating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday
Monday was the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday and day of Service, offering all of us an opportunity to consider his place in our city's history and the hard work he called us to do.
Introducing the Odell Horton Federal Building Act
On Thursday, I introduced the Odell Horton Federal Building Act to rename our downtown federal building after the first African American federal district judge since Reconstruction. The bill would remove the name of the late Congressman Clifford Davis, a former Klansman and segregationist, and allow us to look upon our federal courthouse with pride at Judge Horton's lasting legacy. See my release here.
Condemning President Trump's Final Corrupt Pardons
On his way out of the White House, Trump issued one final set of pardons, many of which were self-serving and demonstrate Trump's disdain for accountability and indifference to corruption. See my release on those misguided Trump pardons, and on my ongoing efforts to prevent the corrupt abuse of the pardon power, here.
Expressing My Support for the National Guard Protecting Our National's Capital
As National Guard troops and law enforcement locked down our nation's capital in advance of a historic inauguration at the site of the deadly January 6 insurrection, I spoke with Tennessee National Guard Major General Jeffrey Holmes to thank him. I also released a public statement expressing my appreciation for the Guard's service.
Voting to Approve of General Austin as Defense Secretary
On Thursday, I joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority in voting to provide an exemption for four-star Army General (ret.) Lloyd Austin from the requirement of being retired from active duty for seven years before appointment as Secretary of Defense. I was pleased to see the Senate confirm him earlier today. General Austin makes history as the first African-American Defense Secretary, where the ranks of senior officers and civilian employees have been historically under-represented by men and women of color. His 41 years of service have made him familiar with a wide array of military and personnel issues, including the problem of white supremacist elements in the ranks and how to root them out. I look forward to working with him as our new Secretary of Defense.
Announcing Major Memphis Community Health Center Grants
On Thursday, I announced that Christ Community Health Services, Memphis Health Center and Tri-State Community Health Center will receive significant grants to continue their important work during this pandemic. Community health centers are a priority on my health care agenda. See my release here.
Weekly Health Tip
With his executive order requiring face masks at federal facilities nationwide, and his laser focus on getting our response to the coronavirus onto a serious and sustained course, President Biden gives us reason to be hopeful that the pandemic is slowly coming to an end. Wearing masks to protect your fellow Americans is a patriotic act and one which will help us get the pandemic under control more quickly. It will save lives. Nonetheless, I implore my friends and constituents to be vigilant in maintaining public health protocols: wash your hands regularly, wear a mask, and keep your distance from others, particularly when you're inside. Click here to see when you will be eligible to receive a vaccine, and call 901-222-7468 to be notified when appointments are available through the Shelby County Health Department. We're on our way to recovery.
Quotes of the Week
"This is democracy's day. A day of history and hope of renewal and resolve through a crucible for the ages. America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people, has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded." – President Joe Biden's Inaugural Address
"It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it's the past we step into
and how we repair it
We've seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy
And this effort very nearly succeeded
But while democracy can be periodically delayed
it can never be permanently defeated
In this truth
in this faith we trust
For while we have our eyes on the future
history has its eyes on us" -- Amanda Gorman, "The Hill We Climb," read at Wednesday's Inauguration. As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
 Steve Cohen
Member of Congress |
