Archive for April, 2008

Memphis Education Association President and former Shelby County Election Commission member Yvonne Acey has announced her support of Congressman Steve Cohen in his re-election bid for the 9th Congressional District seat in the House of Representatives.

Mrs. Acey introduced Cohen at the recent Africa In April event. She thanked him for his support of Africa in April and went on to praise his support of education, saying that he “should be re-elected”.

“Yvonne Acey has long been a beacon of light in Memphis.  Her work on the Shelby County Election Commission was second to none, and her tenure as President of the Memphis Education Association has improved the lives of students and teachers alike,” Congressman Cohen said.  “The support of her and her husband Dr. David Acey means a lot to me.”

Defenders of Wildlife has issued its annual Conservation Report Card, and Congressman Cohen received a 100% score for his voting record.

The report card graded all members of Congress on issues dealing with the environment and the preservation of endangered species.

“I’ve always believed that it is the responsibility of every one of us to protect and preserve America’s natural wonders for the sake of the next generation of children,” Congressman Cohen said. “And if we are to preserve the natural ecosystem, we must make sure that we preserve the diversity of animal species inhabiting it.”

At the request of Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Congressman Steve Cohen addressed the Anti-Defamation League this morning at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

“This is the 2nd time Sen. Obama has asked me to speak on his behalf, “Congressman Cohen told the crowd of 500.  “The first being when I spoke for him on MSNBC in response to an endorsement by Louis Farrakhan and allegations that the Senator harbored anti-Semitic feelings, which of course, were refuted. We engaged in a robust discussion on Hamas, Israel and a two-state solution to the Palestinian crisis. We also talked about the situation with Ahmadinejad and Iran as well as the state of Anti-Semitism in the United States.

“I was extremely proud to represent Senator Obama’s campaign before the Anti-Defamation League. I am supporting Senator Obama because he is running a campaign of change in America.  I believe in his desire for peace and his desire to bring negotiations to the table as the primary diplomatic tool for the country. In his speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sen. Obama, like Dr. King before him, urged African-Americans to reach out to others and to be more inclusive, and to be mindful of Anti-Semitism. Sen. Obama realizes the historic and long-standing ties between the Jewish and African American communities, especially during the civil rights movement when Jewish Americans joined with African Americans across the country to call for equal justice and an end to discrimination.”

Retired CIA Director James Woolsey spoke on behalf of Senator John McCain’s campaign, and the Clinton campaign was represented by senior adviser Ann Lewis.

In an interview on WDIA radio simulcast on CNN on the 40th anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,, Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, endorsed Steve Cohen for re-election as Representative for Tennessee’s 9th District.

Asked by WDIA’s Novella Smith Arnold for whom he would vote if he lived in the 9th District, Congressman Conyers responded, “Steve Cohen.”

Regarding Congressman Cohen’s role on the Judiciary Committee, Chairman Conyers said, “Between (Steve Cohen) and me, we’ve got everything taken care of.”

“He’s done the job,” added Conyers.  “He’s taken care of business. And, you know, that’s in the spirit of what Dr. King was talking about, isn’t it? You know, you support the best person for the job, and he’s proven that he can do it.”

Congressman Conyers, the second longest serving member of Congress, has represented Michigan’s 14th Congressional District since 1965.  Congressman Cohen serves on the House Judiciary Committee with Conyers.

The NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC has read Congressman Steve Cohen’s questionnaire and given him a “fully pro-choice” rating. The completion of the questionnaire is the first step in obtaining support and an endorsement from NARAL.

“NARAL Pro-Choice America works closely with pro-choice members of Congress to defend a woman’s right to safe, legal abortion services. We are just as committed to reducing the need for abortion and ensuring that Americans have choices on the range of reproductive health issues by promoting better access to contraception, including emergency contraception, and comprehensive medically accurate sex education, among other policies,” said the press release issued by NARAL Deputy Political Director Julie Stitzel.

“I’ve always believed that the right to choose is fundamental to the right of every woman in the United States,” Congressman Cohen said. “You do not reduce abortion by returning this nation to the era of abortions being provided by unlicensed, untrained providers. You reduce abortion by reducing the need for abortion through improved access to education. I’m proud to stand with NARAL as we work to make sure the rights of American women are preserved.”