<BillNo> <Sponsor>
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 19
By Akbari
SJR0019
001332
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A RESOLUTION to recognize Victoria Eady Butler of Uncle
Nearest Premium Whiskey, the first Black
female master blender.
WHEREAS, the Volunteer State is proud to be the home of a number of historic,
pioneering women, including the inspirational Victoria Eady Butler of Uncle Nearest Premium
Whiskey, who is the first Black female master blender in the premium whiskey industry in the
nation; and
WHEREAS, an esteemed member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Victoria
Eady Butler will be the keynote speaker at the Founders Day Celebration of the Memphis
Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, on Saturday, February 1, 2025,
at Greater Imani Church The Cathedral of Faith in Memphis; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Eady Butler is the great-great-granddaughter of pioneering distiller
Nathan "Nearest" Green, whose legacy has been restored and reborn with the establishment of
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey through the efforts of Ms. Butler and CEO and founder Fawn
Weaver; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Ms. Butler worked as an
analytical manager for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville before
briefly retiring and immediately being invited to work at Uncle Nearest; and
WHEREAS, she started in an administrative role with the Nearest Green Foundation but
quickly transitioned to master blender after successfully curating a batch of whiskey for the
brand that became the distillery's first award-winning product; and
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WHEREAS, in addition to her duties as master blender, she now oversees the Nearest
Green Foundation while continuing to grow her knowledge and experience in the premium
whiskey industry; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Eady Butler epitomizes the spirit and commitment that are
characteristic of a true Tennessean; and
WHEREAS, we find it appropriate to pause in our deliberations to acknowledge and
applaud Victoria Eady Butler on this special occasion; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor and recognize Victoria Eady Butler of
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the first Black female master blender in the premium whiskey
industry, as we extend to her our best wishes for much continued success in all her future
endeavors.
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.