Talking to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about Mueller Investigation and Departure of Ty Cobb
Dear Friend,
This week, I joined Wolf Blitzer on CNN to discuss Special Counsel Robert Mueller's possible move to subpoena President Trump as part of the ongoing investigation into possible collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election, as well as the departure from the White House of President Trump's attorney, Ty Cobb, the most recent person to distance himself from the Trump Administration. I also made remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Main Street Trolley Rail Line, participated in White Station High School's Town Hall on gun safety and reform, attended the annual Attorney Memorial Service at Calvary Episcopal Church, presented the "Doodle 4 Google" State Finalist award to Madison Harris, a talented 4th grader from Harding Academy, announced a competitive federal grant award to Rhodes College student Lydia Spencer, and offered some helpful information about firearm safety. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Talking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about Mueller Investigation and Departure of Ty Cobb
Attending Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Grand Opening of the Main Street Trolley Rail Line
Participating in White Station High School's Town Hall on Gun Safety and Reform
Attending the Annual Attorney Memorial Service
Presenting "Doodle 4 Google" Award to Madison Harris
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner," Future Telephone Town Halls and this eNewsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Talking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about Mueller Investigation and Departure of Ty Cobb
On Wednesday I joined CNN's Wolf Blitzer shortly after The New York Times broke the news that yet another member of President Trump's team was departing. White House lawyer Ty Cobb is the most recent person to seek to distance himself from the Trump Administration.
Wolf and I discussed Cobb's departure, as well as the ongoing investigation into possible collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign, and the potential for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to subpoena President Trump as part of the investigation. See our full conversation here.
Attending Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Grand Opening of the Main Street Trolley Rail Line
On Monday I visited the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) Trolley Barn for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand re-opening of the Main Street Trolley Rail Line following nearly four years of inactivity, and was joined by Mayor Jim Strickland, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer, Memphis City Councilwoman Jamita Swearengen, Memphis City Council Chairman Berlin Boyd, MATA CEO Gary Rosenfeld and MATA Board Chairman Sean Healy.
The trolley line is a part of Memphis history and I was proud to help secure nearly 80% of the refurbishment project's funding over the years through various federal programs. In 2012 I helped secure a $15 million TIGER IV Grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the City of Memphis' "Main Street to Main Street Multi-Modal Connector" Project, which directed funds towards much-needed repairs and improvements to the Main Street Trolley Rail Line; in 2013 I announced $2.2 million in federal funding through USDOT directed to MATA to help refurbish and enhance the Main Street Trolley Line; in 2015, following a personal call to Yvette Taylor, Region IV Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration to advocate for the trolleys in Memphis, I announced more than $2,600,000 awarded through USDOT's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program for new electric rail trolleys in downtown Memphis.
The re-opening of the Main Street Trolley Rail Line will help improve livability in downtown Memphis, increase tourism, drive economic development and create good-paying jobs in our city. You can learn more about the details of the return of the Main Street Trolley here.
Participating in White Station High School's Town Hall on Gun Safety and Reform
On Saturday I was pleased to participate in White Station High School's "Armed With Change" Town Hall, which focused on gun policy reform and firearm safety. I am always impressed with the level of knowledge displayed by students in Memphis and with their pertinent, informed questions. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have joined students and members of the community at this important forum, and particularly thank Madison (Maddie) Craig, who led the group of White Station High School students who organized the town hall discussion along with the White Station faculty and Shelby County Schools. Maddie and her classmates did an outstanding job of organizing the event. They are certainly Memphis' leaders of tomorrow.
Attending the Annual Attorney Memorial Service
On Thursday I attended Memphis' Annual Attorney Memorial Service at Calvary Episcopal Church. As a former practicing attorney and as a legislator, I have great respect for those in the legal profession who seek to bring about justice and uphold the law. Among those remembered at this year's service were my close friend and advisor Irvin Salky, as well as Lewis Donelson III, a leader of the Tennessee Republican Party and co-founder of the Memphis law firm Baker Donelson.
Presenting "Doodle 4 Google" Award to Madison Harris
Every year, students from around the country submit illustrations to the "Doodle 4 Google" competition with the hopes of having their submitted artwork displayed on the homepage of the Google search engine website. This year students were asked to exercise their creativity around the theme, "What inspires me…", and I was pleased to present the "Doodle 4 Google" State Finalist award to Tennessee's winner, Madison Harris, a talented 4th grader from Harding Academy in Memphis.
The 53 state and territory winners will have their artwork voted on in a public voting session to select the national winner. It takes courage and confidence to submit your work to be judged before others, and no matter the outcome of the next voting round I am proud of our young statewide winner from Harding Academy.
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner," Future Telephone Town Halls and this eNewsletter
I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my "Congress on Your Corner" events, you can sign up here to receive notification.
For those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by using this form.
If you would like to receive this weekly eNewsletter, or share it with others, you can do that with this form.
Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) provides helpful information on best practices for firearm safety. The purpose of firearm safety is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional damage, injury or death caused by improper possession, storage or handling of a firearm. The ATF suggests practices such as treating all firearms as if they are loaded, always keeping the muzzle of a firearm pointed in a safe direction, using trigger or cable locks on firearms that are stored in homes where children are present, and checking with neighbors, friends, relatives or adults in any other homes where children may visit to ensure that they follow safe storage practices for any firearm in their home.
For more information on ATF guidelines for the safe use and storage of firearms, click here.
Quote of the Week
"As gun owners, my husband and I understand that the Second Amendment is most at risk when a criminal or deranged person commits a gun crime. These acts only embolden those who oppose gun ownership. Promoting responsible gun laws protects the Second Amendment and reduces lives lost from guns."
– Gabrielle Giffords
As Always, I remain,
Most sincerely, 
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress