<BillNo> <Sponsor> HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 662 By Doggett HJR0662 007620 - 1 - A RESOLUTION to recognize and honor Heather Ayres for her astute service to the State of Tennessee as founder of the Giles County Rehab Unit. WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly take great pleasure in recognizing those outstanding individuals who serve as advocates for the greater good, thereby contributing significantly to the well-being of their fellow citizens; and WHEREAS, one such person is Heather Ayres of Giles County, who, through providing essential relief to first responders, has distinguished herself as a community leader of whom we can all be proud; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Ayres has wholeheartedly devoted her time, talents, and resources to the Giles County Rehab Unit, which she established in January 2024 to support local first responders during extended emergency situations and trainings; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Ayres recognized the need for an area for first responders and emergency personnel to rest and recover in order to continue performing their duties in times of crisis; and WHEREAS, Heather Ayres's unique perspective for her idea originated from witnessing her husband and her son respond to emergency calls at all hours, specifically after her husband answered a house fire call on a brutally cold winter day; and WHEREAS, information regarding the Giles County Rehab Unit was shared across social media platforms, and since then, it has grown from just a few cases of water to a trailer with a staging area for nonperishable foods, pallets of water, hydrating drinks, and other donations; and - 2 - 007620 WHEREAS, Heather Ayres has worked assiduously to supply essential relief to personnel during emergencies, drills, and, more recently, the search and rescue of Mrs. Caulyne Cross; and WHEREAS, no stranger to awards and accolades, Heather Ayres was duly recognized with the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award and named the 2024 Citizen of the Week by Pulaski Citizen to commemorate her innovation and dedication to the Giles County Rehab Unit and the safety of first responders; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Ayres is most grateful for the love and support she shares with her husband, Jamie, and their family; and WHEREAS, since the inception of the Giles County Rehab Unit, Mrs. Ayres has made it her mission to support first responders in any way possible, becoming a pillar of reliability and inspiring others throughout her community; and WHEREAS, Heather Ayres has demonstrated the utmost compassion, ability, and integrity, winning the sincere respect of her peers and her community alike; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Ayres's dedication to service is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; 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 recognize and honor Heather Ayres for her astute service to the State of Tennessee as founder of the Giles County Rehab Unit, commend her exceptional service to first responders and emergency personnel, and extend our best wishes for much continued success and happiness. 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 - 3 - 007620 the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear without House or Senate designation.