<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 661
By Doggett
HJR0661
007572
- 1 -
A RESOLUTION to honor the late Bertha Mae Dees Faulkner,
posthumous recipient of the Governor's
Volunteer Stars Award.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should specially
recognize those estimable citizens who have dedicated their time and energies to helping
others; and
WHEREAS, each year, 1.3 million Tennessee volunteers give over 99 million hours of
community service, contributing $2.6 billion to Tennessee's economy; and
WHEREAS, these volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and by donating
their time and talents to fulfill needs that would otherwise go unmet, they embody the spirit of
giving; and
WHEREAS, Bertha Mae Dees Faulkner of Lawrence County was one such exemplary
person; Ms. Faulkner has been posthumously honored with the Governor's Volunteer Stars
Award in recognition of her laudable commitment to her community; and
WHEREAS, Bertha Mae Dees Faulkner began working with the South Central Human
Resource Agency in the Head Start Program in 1973; after serving the children in her
community in this capacity for thirty-three years, she began volunteering at New Prospect
Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, known affectionately as "Ma Bert" by first-grade students at New Prospect,
Mrs. Faulkner mentored and tutored children for nineteen years as a member of the school's
Foster Grandparent Program; and
WHEREAS, during her nearly two decades at New Prospect Elementary School, "Ma
Bert" was a stand-in granny for more than 370 students; her legacy of compassion and service
- 2 - 007572
lives on through these individuals, as well as her three children, six grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Faulkner was a model citizen; her commitment to helping others
through volunteerism epitomized the spirit of the Volunteer State; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor the late Bertha Mae Dees Faulkner, posthumous recipient of the
Governor's Volunteer Stars Award, reflecting fondly on her outstanding community leadership
and her legacy of service above self.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.