releases: https://cohen.house.gov/taxonomy/story-type/enewsletters/announcing-russell-b-sugarmon-post-office-becoming-law
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://cohen.house.gov/taxonomy/story-type/enewsletters/announcing-russell-b-sugarmon-post-office-becoming-law | Announcing Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office Becoming Law | 2018-12-14 | 2018 | 2018-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, This week, I announced that my bill to name the post office on Autumn Avenue for Judge RussellB.Sugarmonhas been signed into law. I also questioned Google's CEO about protecting free speech;voted to pass a Farm Billwhich protects important food assistance,animal protection and conservation programs;expressed my concern about developments in the Special Counsel Robert Muellerinvestigation;visited with students at Hamilton High School's pre-K program, welcomed new American citizens, noted that open enrollment for HealthCare.gov policies ends this Saturday, December 15;remembered Shelby County Election Commissioner O.C. Pleasant Jr., offered Capitol Historical Society 2019 calendars and made a health tip about preparing for wintry cold snaps. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me onTwitterandFacebookto see more updates as they happen. Announcing Russell B.SugarmonPost Office Becoming Law Questioning Google about Protecting Free Speech Protecting Food Assistance Expressing Concerns About Developments in the Mueller Probe Visiting with Hamilton High SchoolPre-KStudents Welcoming New American Citizens in Memphis Flagging Open Enrollment Ending Soon at HealthCare.gov RememberingO.C. Pleasant Jr. Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Weekly Health Tip Quote of the Week Announcing Russell B.SugarmonPost Office Becoming Law On Monday, I announced that my bill to rename the post office at 1325 Autumn Avenue for Russell B.Sugarmon, the civil rights leader, lawyer and judge, had been signed into law. No one deserves this honor more than JudgeSugarmonand I look forward to dedicating thismonumentto a great man's achievements soon. Questioning Google about Protecting Free Speech On Tuesday,Google CEO Sundar Pichaitestified beforethe House Judiciary Committee on which I serve and took questions about baseless claims of bias against conservatives in its search functionandconcerns about privacy and tracking people's physical locations. I asked Pichai to make it easier for people to understand and adjust privacy settings on their smart phones and asked him what Google is doing to limit the effectiveness of bots that use algorithms tostiflethefree speech ofhumanitarian and democratic activists in authoritarian countries.See that exchangehere. The hearing and my questioning drew a lot of commentary on Twitter, including this post by journalist Eli Lake: Protecting Food Assistance On Wednesday, I voted for and the House passed a five-year Farm Bill thatprotects food assistance, conservation and animal welfare policies that are priorities forresidents of the 9thCongressional District.We successfully blocked efforts by the Majority to imposepunishing work requirements for food stamp recipientsand preserved the Conservation Stewardship Program, which encourages farmers to strengthen conservation efforts on their farms.I am also pleased that two bills I cosponsored to protect animals, the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 909) and the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act (H.R. 1406), were included in the final bill. The Farm Billalso provides permanent funding for programs promoting local farmers markets and organic farming. Expressing Concerns About Developments in the Mueller Probe All week, I have been concerned about mounting evidence in support of allegations that the President directed his lawyer to violate campaign finance laws with illicit hush-money payments to two women during the 2016 campaign and what impact that might have on the future of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in our elections. I talked to MSNBC's Alex Witt about those concernson Sunday. The day before, I talked with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart onAM Joyand with the network'sRichard Liu.And last Friday night, I spoke to Lawrence O'Donnell on the network'sThe Last Word.In print press interviews, I've suggested tying legislation protecting the integrity of Mueller's probe to spending bills whose deadlines are looming. I am acosponsor of theSpecial Counsel Independence and Integrity Act(H.R. 5476)which I hope we can pass before the 115thCongress ends later this month. I am scheduled to talk with MSNBC's the Reverend Al Sharpton on Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. Visiting with Hamilton High SchoolPre-KStudents On Friday morning, Ivisitedthe Hamilton High School Pre-Kindergarten program for a holiday party and to deliver and read a book to encourage literacy. I talked to the students, staff and parents about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP, or food stamps) program reauthorized in theFarmBill and about my support for early childhood education and Head Start. I told the kids to make good grades, stay in school and to enjoy being kids. While at Hamilton, I was pleased and surprised to meet football coach Cedrick Wilson, the former Melrose High School quarterback and University of Tennessee and NFL wide receiver. He is an iconic football player who will both teach and inspire. Welcoming New American Citizens in Memphis On Monday, members of my staff attended the naturalization ceremony for 59 new American citizens from 32 foreign countries, including Yemen, Mauritania, Congo, Mexico, India, China, South Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Ethiopia and Peruand Ukraine. Federal District Judge Sheryl Lipman administered the oath and shared a story about her family which originated in Ukraine, then part ofthe Russian Empire.Her family fled the anti-Jewish pogroms at the end of the 19thcentury and settled in Memphis. It was a struggle but there was much hope becauseAmericaoffered religious freedom, had separation of church and state, and had a democratic form of government that offered opportunity to all. On Sunday night, her family celebrated Chanukahas they havefor a hundred years herein Memphis. I'm proud to have recommended Judge Lipman to President Obama, who made her the first federal Jewish judge in Tennessee history. These naturalization ceremonies are always a moving experience as many of these newAmericans have waited years to become citizens. It's a good reminder that we are a nation of immigrants. Flagging Open Enrollment Now Available at HealthCare.gov Open enrollment for 2019HealthCare.govinsurance plansendstomorrow,Saturday, December 15. Listen for my public service radio announcementthat encouragessigning up.For more information on signing up for health care, seeHealthcare.gov. Remembering O.C. Pleasant Jr. I was saddened this week to note the passing of my old friend O.C. Pleasant Jr., the longest-serving member of the Shelby County Election Commission. O.C. and I became friends when we were elected as delegates to the 1977 Tennessee State Constitutional Convention. We got to know each other well during the five months of the convention and we maintained that friendship over the next 40 years. He was a stand-up member oftheCountyElectionCommissionwho served with great distinction and heroism, and was noted for speaking truth to power. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife Barbara, his children and his many friends. He was a good man and his was a life well lived. Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Myofficehasa limited number of 2019 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, pleasecomplete this formon my website. Due to the rules of the House, I can mail calendars only to residents of Tennessee's 9thCongressional District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the 9thDistrict who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my e-Newsletter. Signing Up for Congress On Your Corner and this e-Newsletter 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 uphereto receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled. For those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by usingthis form. If you would like to receive this weekly e-Newsletter, or share it with others, you can do that withthis form. Weekly Health Tip Each week, I share a health tip in the hope of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9thCongressional District.As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle. Rainy and windy conditions this week are likely get colder as the Mid-South transitions fromfallto winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice about getting prepared for wintry weather by repairing leaking roofs at home,having your furnace inspected, and being prepared for emergencies in your car by having booster cables, blankets and flashlights available. See all theCDC'sadvicehere. The Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division inspects gas appliances with its ongoing Pilot Safety Inspections that are free to those over 60. See details including how to make an appointmenthere. Quote of the Week You want to know something? I'll tell you what: I am proud to shut down the government for border security, ChuckI will be the one to shut it down I'm not going to blame you for it. President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday during a meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer about a Homeland Security spending bill. Note:Trump campaigned on a pledge to build a southern border wall and to makeMexicopay for it. As always, I remain Most sincerely, Steve Cohen Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |