Awaiting Vote for Much-Needed Coronavirus Relief
Dear Friend, This week, I monitored negotiations for a new coronavirus relief bill and learned this evening that they will continue into the weekend. Although it will be quite late for many enduring the pains of this pandemic and its economic fallout, I'm hopeful that I can vote for a compromise that will ease the suffering of many during the holidays. I also mourned the passing of the Reverend James L. Netters Sr., a giant of Civil Rights and a great, open-minded leader of the Memphis community. I was pleased to vote for and see the House pass the bill I introduced with Congressman Danny K. Davis to study Rosenwald Schools to begin the process of creating a national park celebrating the 5,300 communities where Julius Rosenwald's philanthropy advanced opportunities to educate Black students in the rural South; commended Memphis native Derek Fordjour for his phenomenal successes in the art world; welcomed William Barr's resignation from the Department of Justice, who I have called the worst U.S. Attorney General in American history; congratulated the Congressional App Challenge winners Jayda Murray, Anaya Murray and Johnathan Sherrill; announced a major grant to Shelby County's Head Start programs; announced a grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; offered U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2021 calendars; and provided a weekly health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens. Awaiting Vote for Much-Needed Coronavirus Relief Remembering the Reverend James L. Netters Sr. Advancing Rosenwald Schools Toward National Park Recognition Commending Acclaimed Memphis Native Artist Derek Fordjour Welcoming the Resignation of the Worst Attorney General Congratulating the Ninth District Winners of the Congressional App Challenge Announcing Major Grant to Shelby County Head Start Programs Announcing Vision Research Grant to UTHSC Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2021 Calendars Awaiting Vote for Much-Needed Coronavirus Relief We have been waiting far too long for Congressional negotiators to produce a coronavirus relief package, and it looks like we will go into the weekend hoping for a compromise to address the suffering of so many during the holidays. I will keep you apprised of progress. I look forward to the start of the 117th Congress in a few weeks and a more robust and coherent response to the ongoing health and economic crisis. Remembering the Reverend James L. Netters Sr. I was saddened to learn on Sunday of the passing of the Reverend James Netters, a giant of Civil Rights and an open-minded and influential leader in our community. I extend my condolences to his family, friends, the Mount Vernon Baptist Church community, and many admirers. His was a life well-lived. See my statement to the press here and my remarks in The Congressional Record here. Advancing Rosenwald Schools Toward National Park Recognition Commending Acclaimed Memphis Native Artist Derek Fordjour
This week, I commended Memphis native Derek Fordjour for his recent streak of notable achievements in the art world. Mr. Fordjour's painting "Rhythm and Blues" (above) recently sold at auction for $410,000, with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In November, his work was highlighted in The New York Times. See that article here. And he was recently featured as a rising star in the New York art world on CBS News. See that here. It is spectacular what Mr. Fordjour does with his depictions of Historically Black College and University marching bands and other deeply layered masterpieces. I recently spoke with former Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Director Kaywin Feldman, now the Director of National Gallery of Art in Washington, about displaying the work of this rising star in the nation's capital. I'm sure our new Vice President Kamala Harris would appreciate seeing his painting of the marching band from her alma mater, Howard University, at the National Gallery. So would I. Welcoming the Resignation of the Worst Attorney General On Monday night, I released a statement as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, welcoming the resignation of William Barr, whom I referred to as the worst Attorney General in our nation's history. As many of you know, I have been seeking to impeach Barr for quite some time and am pleased to see "the chicken" has gone home to roost. See my statement here. Congratulating the Ninth District Winners of the Congressional App Challenge I congratulate Congressional App Challenge First Place winners Jayda Murray, the team leader from Faith Heritage Christian Academy; Anaya Murray of Homeschool Academy; and Johnathan Sherrill of Power Center Academy for their innovative app design. I'm proud that we have such talent in the Ninth Congressional District. Their app, "Walk in My Shoes: Raising Awareness and Change," is thought-provoking and I expect all three will have bright futures. I want to offer an additional congratulations to Johnathan and Jayda for their acceptance into TED-ED Student Talks program and Raising Good Gamers Organization. Keep up the good work! Announcing $12.8 Million Grant to Shelby County Head Start Programs On Wednesday, I announced the Shelby County Board of Education will receive a $12.8 million grant for its Head Start programs. This is an investment in our community's future we can all support. See my release here. Announcing Vision Research Grant to UTHSC On Tuesday, I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a significant grant for vision research. See that release here. Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2021 Calendars My office will have a limited number of 2021 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee's Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my e-Newsletter. I'm sorry I must make the same recommendation again as coronavirus cases continue to reach new levels in Tennessee and around the country: Please stay home. The holidays will be different this year, but there's no way to avoid that. Please heed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, keep your distance from others, particularly when you're indoors, and avoid crowds. Assume those not in your regular bubble are infected, and stay safe. "In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed. We the people voted. Faith in our institutions held. The integrity of our elections remains intact. And so, now it is time to turn the page. To unite. To heal." – President-elect Joe Biden after the Electoral College confirmed his victory Monday night. I want to wish all my friends and constituents a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
