Congressman Cohen Commemorates 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the formal certification of the 19^th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Last week, on August 18, Congressman Cohen celebrated Tennessee's General Assembly vote in 1920 to become the 36^th state to ratify the amendment, which gave it the required approval of three-fourths of the states. Today's commemoration recognizes the U.S. Secretary of State's formal certification of that vote and the amendment's passage. Today's anniversary is known as Women's Equality Day.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I'm pleased to recognize this critical historic milestone. The women's vote has transformed America, changed our legislative and policy priorities, and brought us closer to that elusive goal of ‘a more perfect union.' Today's commemorations should remind us all of how important it is to register and vote. We should all take this time to recognize the obstacles to voting that many continue to face in our country – particularly communities of color and underserved communities."

As a state Senator, Congressman Cohen introduced and shepherded to passage the Tennessee Suffrage Commission. He later served on it when it commissioned the public art in the Tennessee state Capitol celebrating the 1920 General Assembly vote ratifying the 19^th Amendment. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which has jurisdiction over voting rights, Congressman Cohen has held a series of hearings throughout the 116^th Congress on strengthening the Voting Rights Act and presided at the first hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in more than 30 years.