Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0151 Compare Versions

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

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2	2	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
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4	4	SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 151
5	5	By Crowe
6	6
7	7
8	8	SJR0151
9	9	003537
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12	12	A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Felix Guignard of
13	13	Johnson City.
14	14
15	15	WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
16	16	the passing of Felix Guignard; and
17	17	WHEREAS, a musician, pianist, accordionist, and composer of music, Felix Guignard
18	18	was an exemplary gentleman and consummate professional who worked assiduously to
19	19	improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and
20	20	WHEREAS, Felix "Fe'Fe" Guignard was born on November 3, 1927, to Francois and
21	21	Christiane Saladin Guignard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where his father played the piano
22	22	professionally and had his own band; and
23	23	WHEREAS, although Francois Guignard did not want his son to become a musician,
24	24	Christiane Saladin Guignard urged her husband to teach their son to play the piano, and young
25	25	Felix Guignard fell in love with music and quickly learned all the basic techniques of music; and
26	26	WHEREAS, Mr. Guignard started his career as a musician playing in Haiti for sixty cents
27	27	per night; at the age of fifteen, he played for the president of Haiti and was also a part of his
28	28	personal band and later played for then Vice President Richard Nixon on his visit to Haiti; and
29	29	WHEREAS, performing around the world, Felix Guignard was a pianist at a few of the
30	30	finest hotels in Atlanta, Georgia, including the Omni International and Marriott Marquis. He also
31	31	performed in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guadeloupe in Martinique West Indies; and
32	32	WHEREAS, an exceptional linguist, Mr. Guignard could speak a number of different
33	33	languages, including French, Creole, Spanish, and English, which helped his career in the
34	34	Islands; and
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39	39	WHEREAS, Mr. Guignard later moved to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he
40	40	played piano professionally and raised his children. In 1951, he played at the Cherry Blossom
41	41	Festival under the famous musician and conductor Toscanini with many other musicians from
42	42	around the world; and
43	43	WHEREAS, the next phase of his life saw him move to the United States, where he
44	44	started his musical career in Atlanta, Georgia, and met his long-life partner, Carol Fair, who was
45	45	a flight attendant for Piedmont, British Airways, and US Airways; and
46	46	WHEREAS, after spending thirty years with his musical career in Atlanta, Mr. Guignard
47	47	retired and moved with Ms. Fair to Johnson City at Fair Oaks; he shared his musical talents with
48	48	Johnson City through performances at the Johnson City Country Club, local places in Johnson
49	49	City, and at Fair Oaks for parties hosted by Ms. Fair; and
50	50	WHEREAS, during some of his travels, he had the opportunity to play Cole Porter's
51	51	piano at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City; in Las Vegas, he played George
52	52	Gershwin's piano and the famous mirrored piano of Liberace; and
53	53	WHEREAS, a recording artist, his albums include Poor People of Haiti, A Paris, and his
54	54	best and final album, Aubade, which he produced in 2006. Felix Guignard was one of the last
55	55	Old World musicians of Haiti; and
56	56	WHEREAS, Mr. Guignard was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always
57	57	endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and
58	58	WHEREAS, Felix Guignard is survived by his life partner, Carol Fair; his children, Pastor
59	59	Winnie Guignard (Pastor Yves) Pierre, Felix Guignard, Jr., Ronald Guignard, Nadege G.
60	60	(Ishmael) Claxton, Wagner (Rose) Guignard, and Gerald D. Guignard; his sisters, Laure
61	61	Guignard Pierre, Annie Marie Guignard Thomas, and Adeline Guignard Baptist; his brother,
62	62	Edner Guignard; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family
63	63	members; and
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68	68	WHEREAS, Felix Guignard leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in
69	69	public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen
70	70	endeavors; and
71	71	WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to
72	72	remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,
73	73	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
74	74	GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
75	75	REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Felix Guignard, reflecting
76	76	fondly upon his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life
77	77	with courage and conviction.
78	78	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
79	79	to the family of Mr. Guignard.
80	80	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
81	81	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
82	82	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
83	83	without House or Senate designation.