<BillNo> <Sponsor>
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 468
By Briggs
SJR0468
007823
- 1 -
A RESOLUTION to honor Bryan Merritt of the Tennessee State
Employees Association on the occasion of his
retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for this General Assembly to honor those citizens who have
performed with devotion and enthusiasm throughout their careers in the public sector; and
WHEREAS, Bryan Merritt has served Tennessee State Employees Association (TSEA)
with distinction in many roles during the last twenty-four years, and he is now taking his much-
deserved retirement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merritt began his tenure with State government in March 2000 as an
employee of the Department of Human Services and spent most of his eighteen years with the
department working as a field supervisor in Unicoi, Washington, and Carter counties; and
WHEREAS, after joining TSEA in 2001, he became active in the Appalachian chapter of
the organization, serving as its president, vice president, and TEAM local coordinator at various
times; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Merritt rendered astute service as TSEA's District 11 director from 2009
to 2014, and during his time in that office, he was also active in TEAM PAC, serving as the chair
of the TEAM administrative committee in 2013; and
WHEREAS, in each of these positions, Mr. Merritt displayed his dedication to State
employees and his unwavering belief in their work and in TSEA's mission; and
WHEREAS, he was honored as a Rising Star by TSEA in 2010 and inducted into its Hall
of Fame in 2011; and
- 2 - 007823
WHEREAS, he reached the highest echelon of TSEA when he began his nine-year
tenure on the organization's board of directors in 2009; he later accepted the ultimate leadership
role as TSEA's board president, serving in that office from 2015 to 2018; and
WHEREAS, after completing his outstanding term on the Board of Directors in 2018, he
served as TSEA's East Tennessee field representative until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, during his years with TSEA, Bryan Merritt won the respect and admiration of
government professionals across the State of Tennessee, who appreciated his visionary
leadership on behalf of all State employees; and
WHEREAS, he was also highly regarded on Capitol Hill; Lieutenant Governor Ron
Ramsey feels that working with Mr. Merritt was "a true honor" and relied on "his unwavering
support and trust in his word," also praising his "integrity and deep commitment to State
employees"; and
WHEREAS, a native of Knoxville who now lives in Erwin, Bryan Merritt is the son of Max
and Annette Merritt and the brother of Amy O'Dell; and
WHEREAS, he lettered in band and soccer at Halls High School, from which he
graduated in 1988, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University
of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1995; and
WHEREAS, during his retirement, Bryan Merritt looks forward to spending more time
with his family, especially his wife, Allison Merritt, his son, Benjamin Merritt, and his dogs; and
WHEREAS, he is eagerly anticipating rocking out to the sounds of the 1980s with the
Breakfast Club whenever the mood strikes him and enjoying breakfast with his many friends
around the counter at the Dari Ace in Erwin on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Bryan Merritt demonstrated the utmost
professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his
- 3 - 007823
colleagues, the members of the Tennessee State Employees Association, and this General
Assembly; 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 B ryan Merritt of the Tennessee State
Employees Association on the occasion of his retirement and extend to him our heartfelt wishes
for every continued happiness and success in his 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.