Dedicating Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office
Dear Friend,
Earlier today, I spoke at the dedication of the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office, honoring the late judge and civic leader with a permanent memorial. Earlier in the week, I chaired a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties hearing on the threats to reproductive rights in America; introduced a bill to encourage the establishment of supermarkets in food deserts; voted to protect Dreamers who came to this country as children; announced a significant grant to St. Jude; was saddened by the death of Dr. John and offered a health tip about dementia. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see more updates as they happen.
Speaking at Dedication of the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office
Presiding at Hearing on Threats to Reproductive Rights
Introducing the Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act
Voting to Protect Dreamers
Announcing $538,500 Grant to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Scheduled Television Appearances
Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Speaking at Dedication of the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office
This morning, I spoke at the dedication of the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office on Autumn Avenue and expressed our community's high regard for the late judge and civic leader I knew as a mentor and friend. Judge Sugarmon was a soldier, statesman and jurist and led Memphis efforts on integration from the ballot box to schools, parks and libraries. I will be eternally indebted for his friendship, advice and support. I introduced and passed the bill that names the Crosstown Post Office for Judge Sugarmon and was pleased to be joined by Judge Sugarmon's wife, Gina, and his son, Judge Tarik B. Sugarmon, in unveiling the plaque commissioned by Congress and a grateful nation.
Presiding at Hearing on Threats to Reproductive Rights
On Tuesday, I presided at a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties looking at threats to reproductive rights. Several states are attempting to roll back the constitutional right of women to exercise autonomy over their own bodies enshrined in the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Among the excellent witnesses on the hearing panel were Dr. Owen Phillips, a Memphis obstetrician-gynecologist who testified about efforts to restrict access to the procedure, and Busy Philipps, the actor and activist. See my release including my opening statement at the hearing here.
Introducing the Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act
On Wednesday, I introduced the Supermarket Tax Credit for Underserved Areas Act, a bill to provide tax incentives for the establishment of grocery stores in urban and rural areas that don't have convenient access to fresh food. For many Americans living in communities that lack access to fresh food and vegetables, such as parts of Memphis, food deserts are not a mirage but a reality. See my release here.
On Tuesday, I voted for and the House passed the Dream and Promise Act, which establishes a process for eligible immigrants brought to the United States as children to apply for legal permanent residency. The bill also extends protections to individuals who held or were eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of January 1, 2017. See my release about the vote here.
Announcing $538,500 Grant to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
On Tuesday, I announced that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a $538,500 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. See my release here.
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Scheduled Television Appearance
I am scheduled to be on MSNBC with host Kendis Gibson on Saturday in the 2 p.m. hour.
June is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, an effort to call attention to a form of dementia that affects an estimated 5.7 million Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90 percent of people with Alzheimer's do not have symptoms until the age of 60. See the CDC's guidance here.
Remembering Dr. John
I was saddened to hear of the death of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and six-time Grammy Award winner Dr. John on Thursday at the age of 77. Born Malcolm Rebennack, but known professionally as "Dr. John, the Nite Tripper," he will long be remembered for songs such as the 1973 hit "Right Place Wrong Time" and Mardi Gras- and New Orleans-themed songs that make you miss New Orleans. He was often in Memphis as an attendee and as an awardee of The Memphis Blues Awards. I met him at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, in 1995 (see picture above). His contribution to a uniquely American, New Orleans-tinged sound was profound, and he will be missed.
Thursday was the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest amphibious attack in military history and the beginning of the end of the Nazi occupation of France. The war in Europe was over less than a year later.
"They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years."
-- President Bill Clinton, Commemorating the 50th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1994, Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress