Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day
Dear Friend,
This week, I commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day, introduced a bipartisan bill to commission a bust of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel in the U.S. Capitol, spoke out against the censorship of artwork by House Republicans, advocated for increased funding for medical research to find treatments and cures for dreadful diseases, voted to prevent a government shutdown, and participated in a Helsinki Commission hearing on democracy and human rights abuses in Russia. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel
Protecting the Freedom of Speech
Advocating for Increased Funding for Medical Research
Voting to Prevent a Government Shutdown
Democracy and Human Rights Abuses in Russia
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter
Quote of the Week
Weekly Health Tip
Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day
Monday was Yom Ha'Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember and mourn the six million Jews and other religious and ethnic minorities murdered during the Holocaust. With some of the recent omissions of Jews and the Holocaust in statements from the Administration and errant remarks concerning ‘Holocaust centers,' it is obvious that remembrance is more important than ever. Read my full statement here.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel
As part of the observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day this week, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and I introduced bipartisan legislation to commission a bust of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel to be installed in the U.S. Capitol. This addition to the Capitol, visited by Americans and people from around the world, would be most appropriate as Elie Wiesel spent his life urging all people to never forget the Holocaust and will further serve to remind us about the importance of human rights. Read more about our bill here.
Protecting the Freedom of Speech
On Wednesday, I participated in a special discussion on the House floor regarding the removal of a painting displayed in the Capitol as part of the Congressional Art Competition, which features artwork from high school students from each Congressional district. The painting, created by a young artist in Rep. Lacy Clay's district in Missouri, depicts a Black Lives Matter protest and was approved by the Architect of the Capitol for participation in the display. House Republicans forced Rep. Clay to take down the painting because it depicted some police officers as animals, even though some protestors were also depicted as animals. I spoke in support of protecting the artist's freedom of speech, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and in support of police officers who follow the rules, treat citizens with respect, and risk their lives to protect the communities they serve. Watch my remarks here.
Advocating for Increased Funding for Medical Research
On Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor in support of increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help find treatments and cures for dreadful diseases such as polio. As one of only two members of Congress who is a polio survivor, I thanked Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their work to eradicate polio around the world. I was honored to be recognized by Rotary International on Tuesday during their ceremony to honor champions who have worked to eradicate polio.
Voting to Prevent a Government Shutdown
On Friday, I voted with a solid majority of Democrats to prevent a government shutdown, after receiving assurances from the Administration that health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act would continue to be funded. Unfortunately, the continuing resolution brought forward by House Republicans only extends government funding for a week. Rest assured that I will continue to support the Affordable Care Act so that all Americans can have access to quality, affordable health insurance.
Democracy and Human Rights Abuses in Russia
On Wednesday, I participated in a Helsinki Commission hearing on democracy and human rights abuses in Russia. I had the opportunity to have a discussion with Vladimir Kara-Murza, a leading Russian democracy advocate, who was poisoned twice in Russia and remarkably survived both incidents. Watch our discussion here.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
On Friday, May 26 from 11am-1pm at the Gaston Community Center (1040 South Third Street), my staff will hold "Congress on Your Corner" office hours to assist Memphians with questions or problems with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA and more. Please mark the date on your calendar. For more information about Congress on Your Corner, visit my website at https://cohen.house.gov.
Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter
Each year billions of dollars are distributed in federal grant and loan money to institutions and organizations throughout the country. The 9th District's universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and local governments are well-qualified to compete for these funds. If you are interested in receiving up-to-date federal grant information, including a list of the most recent grant awards and opportunities, please click here to sign up for my Grants E-Newsletter. I also encourage you to explore the resources on my website to help you and your organization search and apply for grants.
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day and the bill I introduced this week to commission a bust of Elie Wiesel in the U.S. Capitol, the quote for this week comes from Elie Wiesel:
"At times, I feel close to despair. Look around the world and you will see hunger, hate, racism, anti-Semitism, and bigotry. New violence in India, hunger in Ethiopia, apartheid in South Africa. Every tragedy should claim all your attention. Whoever is sensitive to one tragedy is sensitive to all tragedies. In the last month, some of us had to fight for the sake of memory…When I heard the president say he was going to the cemetery in Bitburg, I felt physically sick. But in spite of despair, I felt we continue to teach, just as you will continue to learn. We must continue, for if not, despair will not be the question, but it will be the answer – and despair is never the answer." – Elie Wiesel
Each week, I share a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the Ninth Congressional District. As always, it's best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
April marks Defeat Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Research has suggested that weight loss, a healthy diet and exercise can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes among adults. Learn more about diabetes here.
Kudos to the Grizzlies' great effort and two great home wins in the playoffs. Re-sign Z Bo and Tony! Go Grizz!
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress