Honoring the 51st Anniversary of the Historic Voting Rights Act
Dear Friend,
This week, I honored the 51st anniversary of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, remembered TBI Special Agent De’Greaun Frazier who was killed in the line of duty and my friend and the Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson, commended President Obama for lifting barriers on medical marijuana research but criticized the DEA for failing to reschedule marijuana, spoke at the re-opening of the Memphis Health Center, and joined my staff at the Whitehaven Branch Library for “Congress on your Corner” to assist constituents with navigating federal agencies. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Honoring the 51st Anniversary of the Historic Voting Rights Act
Remembering TBI Special Agent De’Greaun Frazier
Remembering the Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson
Fighting for Sensible Drug Laws
Speaking at the Re-Opening of the Memphis Health Center
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Honoring the 51st Anniversary of the Historic Voting Rights Act
Saturday was the 51st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. The right to vote is the most fundamental right of citizenship in our democracy. Therefore, the Supreme Court was wrong to undermine the Voting Rights Act in 2013 by striking down a key provision preventing voter discrimination, and Congress needs to fix it. Read my statement about the anniversary here.
Remembering TBI Special Agent De’Greaun Frazier
On Tuesday, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Special Agent and former Millington Police Officer De’Greaun Frazier was tragically killed in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. My thoughts go out to Agent Frazier's family, friends and colleagues.
Remembering the Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson
Today, Memphis lost a legend, my friend and the Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson. Ruby was a sweetheart of a human being. She was always smiling, upbeat and caring for others in addition to being a fabulous talent who sang of, for and about Memphis. She had a phenomenal life. Ruby brought joy to people’s hearts all over the world and was a legend in her hometown. She was truly the queen of the Blues, Beale Street and Memphis.
Fighting for Sensible Drug Laws
On Thursday, the Obama Administration announced it would remove barriers on universities so they can apply to grow marijuana for medical research. While I am encouraged by this progress and believe this new policy will lead to more scientific studies that could be used to treat dozens of diseases, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) should have removed marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the most dangerous and addictive schedule. Read my statement on the decision here.
Speaking at the Re-Opening of the Memphis Health Center
On Tuesday, I spoke at the re-opening of the Memphis Health Center (MHC). The health center received a $4,725,000 dollar grant in 2012 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The newly renovated MHC includes updated recordkeeping technology and a 5,000 square foot expansion allowing MHC to hire two additional providers and increase access to care by 9,000 patient encounters.
Bringing Congress to your Corner
On Friday, I joined my staff for “Congress on your Corner” at the Whitehaven Branch Library to assist constituents with questions or problems with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA and more. Thank you to everyone who attended. Over the summer and fall, my office will hold more “Congress on your Corner” events. Please mark these dates on your calendar.
- Thursday, September 1st from 12pm-2pm at the Orange Mound Community Center (2572 Park Ave)
- Friday, October 14th from 12pm-2pm at the Ed Rice Community Center (2907 N. Watkins St.)
Please visit my website at https://cohen.house.gov for more information on Congress on your Corner.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress