Bringing Drone Integration Pilot Program to Memphis
Dear Friend,
This week, I joined Memphis Airport and federal aviation officials for the major announcement that a pilot program on aerial drone integration into the national airspace will be located in Memphis. I also promoted efforts to fight maternal mortality, sought resources to expand the compassionate release of elderly and non-violent prisoners, condemned President Trump's decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, met with experts on science education and political corruption, expressed appreciation for our nation's school teachers, learned of the passing of Lewis "Buzz" Nolan, shared some fitting wisdom from Albert Einstein and wished everyone a Happy Mother's Day. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Bringing Drone Integration Pilot Program to Memphis
Promoting Efforts to Improve Maternal Mortality
Seeking to Expand Compassionate Release of Elderly and Non-Violent Prisoners
Condemning Trump's Decision to Renege on Iran Nuclear Deal
Meetings with Bill Nye and Norman Eisen
Respecting Teachers on Teacher Appreciation Week
Noting the Passing of Lewis "Buzz" Nolan
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Bringing Drone Integration Pilot Program to Memphis
On Wednesday, I was delighted to stand with Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority President and CEO Scott Brockman as U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao named Memphis one of 10 national pilot sites for the integration of aerial drones to U.S. airspace. See my remarks at the event here. The airport authority partnered with the City of Memphis and its police and fire departments, Agricenter International, the University of Memphis, the Tennessee Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, FedEx, GE subsidiaries AirXOS and Avitas, Intel, Flirtey, 901Drones, Express Drone Parts and ForeverReady Productions in its application to be a center for drone technology and testing.
Some of the practical applications that will be tested and demonstrated include precision agriculture, remote aircraft and runway inspections, commercial package delivery, night flight operations, and emergency response and remote medical device deployment.
The decision to make Memphis a national center of drone research should prove to have a major economic impact on our region as this cutting edge technology in a nascent industry takes shape before our eyes. Congratulations to Scott Brockman, Michael Fulton, and the Memphis Airport Authority, as well as its partners, on this achievement.
Promoting Efforts to Fight Maternal Mortality
Mother's Day is this Sunday and, as we remember our own mothers, it is important to honor all mothers who bear and nurture our nation's children. This week I joined my colleagues in sponsoring the Ending Maternal Mortality Act, an effort to address the fact that the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world. Memphis has for years had the unenviable distinction of having one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country which continues to be a major focus of my work in Congress.
Seeking to Expand Elderly and Compassionate Release of Non-Violent Prisoners
On Wednesday, I voted in a Judiciary Committee markup for the bipartisan FIRST STEP Act intended to help eligible, non-violent prisoners earn their way into halfway houses and home confinement. This bill is not the comprehensive prison reform legislation I'd like to see but it is a step in the right direction. I strongly believe that we also need sentencing reform, and I was disappointed that the Republican majority was unwilling to include it in this bill. I was also disappointed that an amendment I proposed at the markup, that would have made a temporary program permanent that allows for the release of eligible elderly and terminally ill prisoners into to halfway houses and home confinement, was defeated by a 14-15 vote.
At the same Judiciary Committee markup, the committee approved another bill, the Protect and Serve Act, that creates a new offense in the federal code for the crime of targeting law enforcement officers. While I am pleased that the committee is helping keep law enforcement safe, I remain frustrated that it continues to fail to address the problem of people being shot and killed by police under questionable circumstances. During the committee's discussion, I once again urged the Chairman to hold a hearing on a bill I introduced with Rep. Lacy Clay, the Police Training and Independent Review Act, which would help address this issue. While he did not commit to holding a hearing, the Chairman agreed to review our legislation. We need to do whatever we can to ensure that our police and our citizenry are kept safe.
Condemning Trump's Decision to Renege on Iran Nuclear Deal
President Trump's irresponsible decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal that the Obama Administration painstakingly negotiated with our closest allies was a major blunder and one I predict we will all regret. The existing deal has prevented Iran from developing a nuclear weapon through an inspection regimen that may now end. This is yet another example of President Trump's obsession with undoing the accomplishments of President Obama with little regard for the consequences. Like his efforts to remove critical elements of the Affordable Care Act, wreck the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and abandon the Paris Climate agreement, Trump is good at destroying good ideas but shows no sign of knowing how to build or replace them.
Meetings with Bill Nye and Norman Eisen
This week on separate evenings I had enlightening conversations with Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," and Norm Eisen, chairman of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Nye, whose office is near the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena that was the sister school to my Polytechnic High School, said he is deeply concerned about the threat posed by asteroids that could collide with the Earth with cataclysmic effects. He endorsed a plan to station satellites in space to detect them. Eisen talked about the unprecedented criminality of the current administration as illustrated by the ongoing scandals involving Trump's private lawyer, Michael Cohen, and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt. I value my informal interaction with such experts and believe they help frame complex matters of public policy.
Appreciating Teachers on Teacher Appreciation Week
I remembered-press release the inspiration of teachers from Idlewild Elementary School, junior high, high school, college and law school during this week's Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers aren't paid enough and are expected to do so much. We should be thankful and show it to our nation's teachers every day, not just during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Noting the Passing of Lewis "Buzz" Nolan
I learned this week from his son, Casey, of Buzz Nolan's passing on Monday at 74. Buzz was a great civic booster and all-around nice guy. A former regional reporter and business editor of The Commercial Appeal, he went on to a distinguished career with Schering-Plough and Guardsmark while staying active with the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the National Ornamental Metal Museum and as a Bible teacher at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. His was a life well-lived and he will be missed. See The Commercial Appeal's write-up here.
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my "Congress on Your Corner" events, you can sign up here to receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled.
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Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hope of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9thCongressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
May is National Stroke Awareness and High Blood Pressure month and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published five surprising facts about high blood pressure, including that it often occurs without symptoms.
In light of the President's Iran nuclear decision, I also offer some sobering guidance from Ready.com.
Quote of the Week
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." – Albert Einstein, interview, 1949
Happy Mother's Day!
As always, I remain,
Most Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress