Condemning Gun Violence in Memphis
August 19, 2022 |
Dear Friend, This week, as Members of Congress work in their districts during the August recess, I was troubled by reports of a mass shooting near Methodist North Hospital and more reports of carjackings and called for a meeting of community leaders to address the problem. I also pledged to continue my work at the federal level to address gun violence. On July 28, I introduced the Billionaires Minimum Income Tax Act and, this week, Newsweek (see below) published my opinion column explaining why it is needed. I also announced more than $2 million in port security and nonprofit security grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; announced grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC); and offered a health tip about childhood immunizations. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens. Condemning Gun Violence in Memphis Promoting Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Announcing $2 Million in Homeland Security Grants Applauding Grants to St. Jude and UTHSC Condemning Gun Violence in Memphis
Gun violence in Memphis has become routine, threatening residents and the reputation of the city. I released a statement on Tuesday after six people were shot near Raleigh LaGrange and Sycamore View. That incident followed a series of recent carjackings. I have called for a conference of community leaders, law enforcement and prosecutors to address this ongoing and dangerous situation. I will continue to work to end gun violence at the federal level. Promoting Billionaire Minimum Income Tax
As inflation, supply chain disruptions and other challenges have grown during the pandemic, the ultra-wealthy have maintained their jet-setting lifestyles. In fact, billionaires have expanded their fortunes tremendously since the pandemic began. Here in Tennessee, the state's 10 billionaires grew $21 billion -- or 85 percent -- richer over the first two years of the pandemic. I have introduced a measure to assure that these wealthy Americans pay their fair share so that they don't pay a lower tax rate than a middle class family, and explained the legislation in an opinion column that was published this week in Newsweek magazine. See that article here. Announcing $2 Million in Homeland Security Grants
On Wednesday, I announced that the City of Memphis, Shelby County and the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission are to receive $2 million in port security grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition, six Memphis institutions received Department of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security grants totaling $767,399: Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South ($150,000); Memphis Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witness ($135,000); Memphis Jewish Community Center ($46,000); Memphis Jewish Federation ($136,400); Temple Israel ($150,000); and Young Israel of Memphis ($149,999). See my release here. Applauding Grants to St. Jude and UTHSC
On Tuesday, I announced grants totaling nearly $1.5 million for oncology education for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and for research on obesity-driven cancer risks to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). See those releases here and here.
I contracted polio as a child, and it profoundly affected my life. Immunization against the disease had just begun and eventually became so prevalent that no cases of polio were diagnosed since 1979 – until this year. Public health officials say immunization rates for young children have declined and that more cases are likely to occur. Please take their advice and get your children vaccinated against polio and all of the diseases for which effective vaccines are available. See the recommended vaccination schedules for adults and children from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.
"Two years ago, I won this primary with 73 percent of the vote. I could easily have done the same again -- the path was clear -- but it would have required that I go along with President Trump's lie about the 2020 election. It would have required that I enable his ongoing efforts to unravel our democratic system and attack the foundations of our republic. That was a path I could not and would not take." – Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney in Tuesday night's concession speech. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
