Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0041 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
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2	2	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
3	3
4	4	SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 41
5	5	By Yarbro
6	6
7	7
8	8	SJR0041
9	9	001975
10	10	- 1 -
11	11
12	12	A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of John Richard "Dick"
13	13	Lodge, Jr.
14	14
15	15	WHEREAS, we were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of John Richard "Dick"
16	16	Lodge, Jr., a former public servant in this great State and in Washington, D.C.; and
17	17	WHEREAS, Dick Lodge was a distinguished attorney for forty-seven years, a forty-two-
18	18	year member of the Lodge Manufacturing Company Board of Directors in South Pittsburg, a
19	19	member and officer of the University of the South's Board of Regents, and a consummate
20	20	government relations professional and friend to many on Capitol Hill; and
21	21	WHEREAS, born in Sewanee on June 16, 1949, Mr. Lodge was the son of Reverend
22	22	John Richard Lodge and Sarah Virginia "Pat" Lodge; he moved with his family a great deal in
23	23	his youth, from Tennessee to Alabama to Alaska, ultimately graduating from Escambia County
24	24	High School in Atmore, Alabama; and
25	25	WHEREAS, after graduating from the University of the South at Sewanee in 1971, he
26	26	earned his Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1974, thereafter
27	27	joining the legal team of Tennessee Attorney General R.A. Ashley for two years; he later
28	28	resigned from that position to join the fledgling, yet ultimately successful, campaign of U.S.
29	29	Senator Jim Sasser, who was elected to Congress in 1976; and
30	30	WHEREAS, Dick Lodge moved to Washington, D.C., as Senator Sasser's first Director
31	31	of Legislation, a fortuitous endeavor in that it was there that he met his future wife, Gina, who
32	32	was working for another freshman, Senator Patrick Moynihan of New York; and
33	33	WHEREAS, Dick and Gina married in 1978 and returned to Nashville, where Mr. Lodge
34	34	joined the law firm of Willis and Knight; during his tenure as a young lawyer in Nashville, he
35	35	became well known for his culinary skills involving all manner of cast iron cookware made by his
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37	37
38	38	- 2 - 001975
39	39
40	40	family's business in South Pittsburg, owing much to his family's background for generations in
41	41	the cast iron skillet business along with Gina's hearty encouragement; and
42	42	WHEREAS, Mr. Lodge was elected to serve as the statewide Democratic Party Chair in
43	43	1983; during his five-year tenure, he headed the committee of Southern States to create Super
44	44	Tuesday; at the urging of former Lt. Governor Frank Gorrell, he moved his legal practice to
45	45	become a partner at the firm of Bass, Berry & Sims, chairing the Government Relations Practice
46	46	area; and
47	47	WHEREAS, concurrently with his work at the law firm for thirty-three years, he remained
48	48	interested and active in State and local government functions, leading to his appointment by
49	49	Mayor Phil Bredesen as the first Chairman of Nashville's new Sports Authority in 1995; his
50	50	leadership talents and gifts manifested in his church work and community service, with him
51	51	serving as Senior Warden at Christ Church Cathedral, President of Legal Services of Middle
52	52	Tennessee, and a legal and business advisor to Thistle Farms; and
53	53	WHEREAS, he was dedicated to mentoring young lawyers, young political leaders, and
54	54	spiritual leaders destined for prominence in the Episcopal Church; while his forceful strength of
55	55	advocacy was to be admired, he offered never-ending quiet kindnesses to those needing help;
56	56	and
57	57	WHEREAS, above all, Dick Lodge was wholly devoted to his friends and his family,
58	58	always endeavoring to remain true and loyal to those he loved; and
59	59	WHEREAS, he is survived by his beloved wife of forty-six years, Virginia "Gina" Tyler
60	60	Lodge, former Tennessee Commissioner of Human Services for eight years; his children, Sarah
61	61	Lodge (Trey) Tally and Richard Matthew (Rachael) Lodge; his grandchildren, Virginia Frances
62	62	Tally, Earl Burton "E.B." Tally IV, John Richard "Jack" Lodge II, and Josephine Bright Lodge; his
63	63	siblings, David (Andrea) Lodge, Sarah A. Lodge, and Henry (Donna) Lodge; and many
64	64	nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces; and
65	65
66	66
67	67	- 3 - 001975
68	68
69	69	WHEREAS, Dick Lodge was a man of courage and honor in his business dealings as
70	70	well as in his private life, and his friendship was a blessing to all who had the good fortune of
71	71	knowing him; and
72	72	WHEREAS, Mr. Lodge leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public
73	73	life and compassion and loyalty in private life, living life with diligence and dedication to all his
74	74	chosen endeavors; and
75	75	WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should remember and honor the bountiful life of this
76	76	exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,
77	77	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
78	78	GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
79	79	REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of John Richard "Dick"
80	80	Lodge, Jr., extending our sympathy and offering our condolences to his many loved ones.
81	81	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
82	82	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
83	83	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
84	84	without House or Senate designation.