<BillNo> <Sponsor>
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 167
By Crowe
SJR0167
003968
- 1 -
A RESOLUTION to honor Jeff Kelly, Public Defender for the First
Judicial District, on the occasion of his
retirement.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should specially
recognize those estimable public servants who have dedicated themselves to improving the
quality of life for their fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, Jeff Kelly, as Public Defender for the First Judicial District, has excelled in
his statutory mission of representing individuals who cannot afford a private attorney; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly and his staff have accomplished this mission by ably representing
their clients in the courts of Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties; and
WHEREAS, Jeff Kelly is taking a much-deserved retirement after an exemplary career
with the Public Defenders Conference that spans thirty-five years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly was appointed First Judicial District Public Defender in September
2009 by Governor Phil Bredesen and was first elected to the post in 2010; and
WHEREAS, prior to his appointment, he served with distinction as an Assistant Public
Defender for the First Judicial District for twenty years; and
WHEREAS, recognized as a leader by his peers and colleagues, Jeff Kelly has served
the Tennessee Public Defenders Conference as a member of its Legislative, Technology, Ad-
Hoc Staffing Criteria, Ad-Hoc Administrative Staff Salary, Education, and Training committees;
and
WHEREAS, an alumnus of Milligan College, he earned his law degree at the University
of Tennessee; and
- 2 - 003968
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly has given back to his community through his involvement in the
local bar association, Rotary, and various community projects and is an active member of
Hopwood Christian Church; and
WHEREAS, a fan of college sports, he is a natural handyman and looks forward to
tackling his next big project during retirement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly cannot wait to spend more time with his family, which includes his
loving wife of thirty years, Julie Ann Kelly; their children, Devin Johnson, Holley Kelly, Will Kelly,
and Olivia Kelly; and grandchildren, Bryn Johnson, Rowan Johnson, Cecily Johnson, and Edith
Johnson; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Jeff Kelly demonstrated the utmost
professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of members
of the bar and bench and his community alike; 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 commend Jeff Kelly, Public Defender
for the First Judicial District, on the occasion of his retirement, salute his thirty-five-year career
spent serving the citizens of Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties, and extend to
him our best wishes for enjoying the fruits of his labor.
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.