Receiving the Inaugural GBTA Navigator Award
Dear Friend,
This week, I spoke on the House floor about the opioid epidemic, received the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) inaugural Navigator Award for my commitment to consumer protection, attended a briefing on the Zika Virus with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, met with representatives from Healthy and Free Tennessee on women’s health issues, met with students from two Memphis-area elementary schools, and received a 100% rating from the Defenders of Wildlife on their 2015 Conservation Report Card. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Receiving the Inaugural GBTA Navigator Award
Fighting for a More Sensible Drug Policy
Protecting Memphians from the Zika Virus
Supporting Women’s Health Issues
Meeting with Local Elementary School Students
Defending Our Wildlife
Memorial for Fallen Memphis Police Officer Sean Bolton
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Receiving the Inaugural GBTA Navigator Award
On Tuesday, I was proud to receive the Global Business Travel Association’s inaugural Navigator Award for my efforts on consumer protection including the SEAT Act to require the FAA to set minimum seat requirements on airplanes for the safety and health of passengers and in ending discriminatory taxes on rental cars.
Fighting for a More Sensible Drug Policy
The opioid epidemic has gotten the attention of Congress this week. Opioids and heroin are a serious problem in this country, and while it's good that Congress is taking action, none of the bills we are considering address one of the main roots of our nation’s broken drug policies. We treat all drugs as a criminal problem rather than a health problem and treat many drugs, such as marijuana, on the same level as hard drugs which draws resources away from the enforcement of opioids and heroin laws. On Wednesday, I took to the House floor to discuss this problem. Watch here.
Protecting Memphians from the Zika Virus
On Thursday, I attended a briefing hosted by the House Steering and Policy Committee on the Zika Virus. There, I spoke with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (pictured above) about other common issues Memphis and New Orleans share. As we enter the summer months, it is time to start taking precautions to prevent the contraction and spread of the disease. Click here for more information on what you can do to protect you and your family from the Zika Virus.
Supporting Women’s Health Issues
On Thursday, I met with representatives from Healthy and Free Tennessee to discuss my support for women’s health and reproductive rights. Pictured with me above are: Georgeana Usova, Katie Garcia, Rev. Faye London, Giovanni Dortch, Susan Watson, LaQuita Martin, and Ashley Crary.
Meeting with Local Elementary School Students
Students from Idlewild Elementary School
Students from Lighthouse Christian Academy
Today, I met with students from my alma mater Idlewild Elementary School in Memphis and Lighthouse Christian Academy in Millington while they were on school trips touring Washington, DC.
I was honored to receive a perfect 100% score this week from the Defenders of Wildlife on their 2015 Conservation Report Card. It is important that we protect wildlife and wild habitats for future generations to enjoy. Read more here.
Memorial for Memphis Police Officer Sean Bolton
Memphis police officer Sean Bolton will be one of 252 fallen police officers remembered during a series of events this weekend in Washington, DC, including a candlelight vigil tonight on the National Mall and a memorial service Sunday. Officer Bolton was killed last year when he interrupted a drug deal in Parkway Village. Sean Bolton served his country as a Marine in Iraq and he served his city as a police officer in Memphis, making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow citizens.
Bringing Congress to your Corner
Thanks to all who came by “Congress on your Corner” at the Orange Mound Community Center this afternoon. Over the summer, my office will hold three “Congress on your Corner” office hours. If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
- Friday, June 17 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Millington Public Library (4858 Navy Rd)
- Friday, July 15 from 12pm-2pm at the Ed Rice Community Center (2907 N. Watkins St)
- Friday, August 12 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Whitehaven Branch Library (4120 Millbranch Rd)
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