A RESOLUTION to honor and commend Beverly L. Jones, 1997 Governor's Trophy Citizen of the Year recipient.

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that this legislative body should honor those people who through their personal endeavors are credits to their respective communities; and

WHEREAS, one such outstanding person is Ms. Beverly L. Jones, the 1997 Governor's Trophy Citizen of the Year recipient; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones is a seven-year, self-employed court reporter for the Macon County Court in Lafayette, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her work with Macon County Court, Ms. Jones is a professional model; and

WHEREAS, she has modeled for four years for clients such as McDonald's, Dollar General, Bali, Hanes, Playtex, Leggs; and

WHEREAS, she was chosen by the 1997 National Rehabilitation Awareness Committee to appear on the 1997 Rehabilitation Week Poster with others from across the country and she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee on September 6, 1997; and

WHEREAS, she also was interviewed by Glamour magazine regarding the new Barbie that uses a wheelchair; and

WHEREAS, she has served as an ADA coordinator for four years and volunteers extensively with the Easter Seal Society, traveling to area schools to present programs on spinal cord injury prevention; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones astutely serves as Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Vocational Training Center; and

WHEREAS, she finds time to lend her incredible talents to such noteworthy causes as advocacy for individuals with disabilities as an adult representative for Easter Seals on the national level; she also speaks to corporations and organizations on issues regarding disability awareness and education; and

WHEREAS, her zeal and acumen have resulted in her ably representing 49 million Americans with disabilities by testifying before the House Transportation Appropriations Committee and speaking before Congress about legislation to improve public transportation for people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones is also a mother of two; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Jones exemplifies the spirit and dedication that is characteristic of a true Tennessean. She is a role model and an inspiration to individuals with and without disabilities; and

WHEREAS, this General Assembly finds it appropriate to pause in its deliberations to honor and commend Ms. Jones for her dedication to the state of Tennessee; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE-HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, That we hereby honor and commend Beverly L. Jones for her service to the state of Tennessee and wish her every continued success in 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.