Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HJR0662 Latest Draft

Bill / Draft Version Filed 04/15/2025

                             
<BillNo> <Sponsor> 
 
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 662 
By Doggett 
 
 
HJR0662 
007620 
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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   
 
 
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 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   
 
 
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the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear 
without House or Senate designation.