Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0468 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 468
5	5	By Briggs
6	6
7	7
8	8	SJR0468
9	9	007823
10	10	- 1 -
11	11
12	12	A RESOLUTION to honor Bryan Merritt of the Tennessee State
13	13	Employees Association on the occasion of his
14	14	retirement.
15	15
16	16	WHEREAS, it is appropriate for this General Assembly to honor those citizens who have
17	17	performed with devotion and enthusiasm throughout their careers in the public sector; and
18	18	WHEREAS, Bryan Merritt has served Tennessee State Employees Association (TSEA)
19	19	with distinction in many roles during the last twenty-four years, and he is now taking his much-
20	20	deserved retirement; and
21	21	WHEREAS, Mr. Merritt began his tenure with State government in March 2000 as an
22	22	employee of the Department of Human Services and spent most of his eighteen years with the
23	23	department working as a field supervisor in Unicoi, Washington, and Carter counties; and
24	24	WHEREAS, after joining TSEA in 2001, he became active in the Appalachian chapter of
25	25	the organization, serving as its president, vice president, and TEAM local coordinator at various
26	26	times; and
27	27	WHEREAS, Mr. Merritt rendered astute service as TSEA's District 11 director from 2009
28	28	to 2014, and during his time in that office, he was also active in TEAM PAC, serving as the chair
29	29	of the TEAM administrative committee in 2013; and
30	30	WHEREAS, in each of these positions, Mr. Merritt displayed his dedication to State
31	31	employees and his unwavering belief in their work and in TSEA's mission; and
32	32	WHEREAS, he was honored as a Rising Star by TSEA in 2010 and inducted into its Hall
33	33	of Fame in 2011; and
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35	35
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38	38	WHEREAS, he reached the highest echelon of TSEA when he began his nine-year
39	39	tenure on the organization's board of directors in 2009; he later accepted the ultimate leadership
40	40	role as TSEA's board president, serving in that office from 2015 to 2018; and
41	41	WHEREAS, after completing his outstanding term on the Board of Directors in 2018, he
42	42	served as TSEA's East Tennessee field representative until his retirement; and
43	43	WHEREAS, during his years with TSEA, Bryan Merritt won the respect and admiration of
44	44	government professionals across the State of Tennessee, who appreciated his visionary
45	45	leadership on behalf of all State employees; and
46	46	WHEREAS, he was also highly regarded on Capitol Hill; Lieutenant Governor Ron
47	47	Ramsey feels that working with Mr. Merritt was "a true honor" and relied on "his unwavering
48	48	support and trust in his word," also praising his "integrity and deep commitment to State
49	49	employees"; and
50	50	WHEREAS, a native of Knoxville who now lives in Erwin, Bryan Merritt is the son of Max
51	51	and Annette Merritt and the brother of Amy O'Dell; and
52	52	WHEREAS, he lettered in band and soccer at Halls High School, from which he
53	53	graduated in 1988, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University
54	54	of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1995; and
55	55	WHEREAS, during his retirement, Bryan Merritt looks forward to spending more time
56	56	with his family, especially his wife, Allison Merritt, his son, Benjamin Merritt, and his dogs; and
57	57	WHEREAS, he is eagerly anticipating rocking out to the sounds of the 1980s with the
58	58	Breakfast Club whenever the mood strikes him and enjoying breakfast with his many friends
59	59	around the counter at the Dari Ace in Erwin on a regular basis; and
60	60	WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Bryan Merritt demonstrated the utmost
61	61	professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his
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66	66	colleagues, the members of the Tennessee State Employees Association, and this General
67	67	Assembly; now, therefore,
68	68	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
69	69	GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
70	70	REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor B ryan Merritt of the Tennessee State
71	71	Employees Association on the occasion of his retirement and extend to him our heartfelt wishes
72	72	for every continued happiness and success in his future endeavors.
73	73	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
74	74	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
75	75	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
76	76	without House or Senate designation.