Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HJR0513 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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2	2	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
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4	4	HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 513
5	5	By Hardaway
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7	7
8	8	HJR0513
9	9	006512
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12	12	A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr.
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14	14	WHEREAS, we were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Alfred Bertram Cate,
15	15	Jr.; and
16	16	WHEREAS, Alfred "Johnny" Cate was an exemplary public servant and consummate
17	17	professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in
18	18	numerous capacities; and
19	19	WHEREAS, the son of A.B. Cate and Elizabeth Cate, Mr. Cate was a 1957 graduate of
20	20	McMinn High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and he went
21	21	on to attend Vanderbilt University, playing for the football team and becoming a member of the
22	22	Alpha Tau Omega fraternity; and
23	23	WHEREAS, after he transferred to Memphis State University, he graduated with a
24	24	Bachelor of Arts in History in 1964 and returned to also earn a Master of Arts in Latin American
25	25	Studies in 1971; and
26	26	WHEREAS, Mr. Cate, desiring to serve his country and uphold the values for which it
27	27	stands, joined the United States Army in 1965 and served courageously in Vietnam as a First
28	28	Lieutenant infantry platoon leader and liaison officer to the United States Navy and Marines, in
29	29	addition to being attached to special forces; and
30	30	WHEREAS, rightfully recognized by his superiors for his tremendous effort and heroism
31	31	amid the harrowing danger of battle, Mr. Cate earned several medals in his military tenure,
32	32	receiving the Bronze Star Medal for Valor with Oak Leaf Cluster from General Omar Bradley in
33	33	1967 and an Air Medal for leading twenty-five successful combat assaults in a helicopter; and
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38	38	WHEREAS, Mr. Cate was reassigned in 1968 to the National Honor Guard at Fort Myer,
39	39	Virginia, and following his honorable discharge thereafter, he returned to Tennessee to begin
40	40	his thirty-six-year career of teaching American history and coaching football, basketball,
41	41	baseball, and tennis at Memphis Central High School; and
42	42	WHEREAS, no less esteemed in his educational endeavors, Mr. Cate became the
43	43	school's athletic director in 1976, a role he dutifully and admirably fulfilled until his retirement in
44	44	2004, and he earned countless accolades by his ever-present commitment to athletic and
45	45	academic excellence: the Rex Dockery Award from the National College Football Hall of Fame,
46	46	the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Coach of the Year Award,
47	47	induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame and Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of
48	48	Fame, the Valley Forge National Teachers Award, and the George Washington Medal; and
49	49	WHEREAS, Mr. Cate left Memphis Central High School as the second most successful
50	50	Memphis City Schools football coach in the district's history, as well as having earned winning
51	51	records in every sport he coached; not wishing to bury his talents, he continued to teach history
52	52	at OIive Branch High School in north Mississippi until 2012; and
53	53	WHEREAS, Mr. Cate always felt his greatest achievements were the 152 players that he
54	54	coached who received scholarships and aid to play football in college, and he always
55	55	encouraged them to strive for perfection in all their pursuits; and
56	56	WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, never missing an opportunity to
57	57	support his children and grandchildren in any facet of life, and whether he was traveling with his
58	58	beloved wife, Kathy, and their in-laws in RV adventures or fostering a love of sports in his
59	59	progeny, he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and
60	60	WHEREAS, Alfred Bertram Cate will be sadly mourned yet fondly remembered by his
61	61	wife of fifty-eight years, Kathy; his son, Al (Stephanie); his daughters, Anne (Danny) Dohogne
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66	66	and Jan (Jeff) Weaver; his grandchildren, Taylor (Ross) Madison, Dawson, Delaney, and Brett
67	67	Dohogne, and Preston Weaver; and his great-grandchild, Wyatt Madison; and
68	68	WHEREAS, in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Linda
69	69	Cate; and
70	70	WHEREAS, Mr. Cate leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public
71	71	life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen
72	72	endeavors; and
73	73	WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should remember the bountiful life of this exceptional
74	74	gentleman and human being; now, therefore,
75	75	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
76	76	FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNES SEE, THE SENATE
77	77	CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr., reflecting fondly upon
78	78	his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage
79	79	and conviction.
80	80	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
81	81	to the family of Mr. Cate.
82	82	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
83	83	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
84	84	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
85	85	without House or Senate designation.