(NASHVILLE), January 10, 2013 – State Senator Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) said today he plans to move forward with legislation filed in the State Senate to ban preferential treatment based on race, gender or ethnicity.  Summerville has filed several bills which he said makes up the “Civil Rights Initiative of 2013” for consideration in the Tennessee General Assembly.  
 
     "Certainly we all need to strive towards the goal of protecting citizens from discrimination,” said Senator Summerville.  "But, at the same time that goal is hard to achieve if preferential treatment is part of our state’s public policy.  If we hire, promote or give preferential treatment by race, gender or ethnicity, we will continue to divide by race, gender or ethnicity.  In the coming months, I will ask my good colleagues of both houses and both parties to fight and win the last battle of the civil rights movement.”
 
     The bills filed would provide that state government will not give preferential treatment based on gender,  race, or ethnicity, except where required by federal law; abolish such group preferences from Tennessee’s public colleges and universities; abolish the job categories of “diversity officers;” eliminate race, gender, or ethnicity as considerations for hiring K-12 teachers; and prohibit any and all entities of State government from compiling and keeping statistics, or other data by race, gender, and ethnicity.
 
     “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hoped to live to see an America where his children would be judged “not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” Summerville added.  “I think he’d be sad if he were among us today to see that this generation has failed in that hope.  We can honor his memory by taking steps like California and Michigan have done. Tennessee, where Dr. King died, can become the first state in the South to realize his vision into law.”
 
     “Although it took longer than it should have, our nation has opened the door of opportunity for all. Only character, intelligence, and hard work matter now,” he concluded.
 
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NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced 11 recipients of Community Development Block Grants that will assist with infrastructure improvements in area communities.  The grant recipients included Mt. Pleasant, Hickman County, Hohenwald, Centerville, Adamsville, Bethel Springs, City of Henry, McNairy County, Michie, Bolivar and Benton County.  Additional CDBG recipients will be announced throughout October. 

“Community Development Block Grants allow communities to complete projects that will ultimately lay the ground work for future economic development opportunities,” Haslam said.  “I am pleased the state of Tennessee is able to partner with our local communities to make this project a reality.”

The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set at local levels where community needs are best known. The CDBG program is administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

“CDBG has such a huge impact on our rural communities where we have some of our biggest challenges in economic development,” Haslam said.  “Having the proper infrastructure in place can lead to additional jobs and investments for a community and enhance the quality of life for its residents.”

The grants were approved following an application by each community and are supported by Sens. Bill Ketron, Jim Summerville, Dolores Gresham and Roy Herron; Reps. Shelia Butt, Joey Hensley, Tim Wirgau, Vance Dennis, John Tidwell, David Shepard and Johnny Shaw; Mayors Maury Colvett, Steve Gregory, Johnny Clayton, Bob Bohn, David Leckner, Kay Cox, Joe Qualls, Ronnie Brooks, Mike Glisson, Barrett Stevens, Sr. and Barry Barnett.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, U.S. Reps. Scott DesJarlais, Marsha Blackman and Stephen Fincher aided in securing the funds.

Area CDBG recipients announced today include:

 
Mt. Pleasant
 $500,000 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $55,556 in local funds the total amount for the project is $555,556
 
Hickman County
$400,500 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $49,500 in local funds the total amount for the project is $450,000
 
Hohenwald
$500,000 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $62,000 in local funds the total amount for the project is $562,000
 
Centerville
$387,000 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $63,000 in local funds the total amount for the project is $450,000
 
Adamsville
$411,400 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $72,600 in local funds the total project amount is $484,000
 
Bethel Springs
$357,105 grant for water systems improvements / with $11,045 in local funds the total project amount is $368,150
 
City of Henry
$500,000 grant for housing rehabilitation 

McNairy County
$474,300 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $83,700 in local funds the total project amount is $558,000
 
Michie
$500,000 grant for water systems improvements / with $96,500 in local funds the total project amount is $596,500
 
Bolivar
$471,700 grant for sewer systems improvements / with $58,300 in local funds the total project amount is $530,000
 
Benton County
$284,297 grant for fire protection / with $35,138 in local funds the total project amount is $319,435
 

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(NASHVILLE, TN), August 1, 2012 -- State Senator Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) joined a large group of Tennesseans who voiced their support of Chick-fil-A by patronizing the fast food restaurant on Wednesday, August 1.  Summerville went to Chick-fil-A’s Nashville/Brentwood location and thanked patrons who gathered to support the business, calling them “free speech patriots.”  

August 1 was declared Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day by talk show host and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.  The event was declared to show support for Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy who made comments that he affirmed that the Biblical view of one man and one woman marriage should be upheld.  Chick-fil-A has long supported biblical values, choosing to close their stores on Sundays, which is generally lucrative for fast food companies, in order to observe the Sabbath and let employees go to church if they wish.

“I was very pleased to see the outpouring of support for Chick-fil-A and its chief executive in our Middle Tennessee area,” said Senator Summerville.  “Those showing their support are not only good patrons, but free speech patriots.  I hope they will continue to support this business and the right of its owners to practice and speak up for the traditional values that so many Tennesseans hold dear.”

Cathey’s statements have drawn ire from numerous groups nationwide which promote same sex marriage.  Summerville said he was very concerned about the public policy action taken by U.S. Cities to harm Chick-fil-A.  Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced their intentions to block development of Chick-fil-A stores in their cities due to Cathey’s statements, while Mountain View California has already banned the chicken chain on a temporary zoning challenge.

“We are seeing an organized attack from the left on the Christian principles upon which our nation was founded,” added Senator Summerville.  “There has been a tremendous erosion of our freedoms over the last several years, including free speech, which is so important for our republic to survive.  The public policy actions already taken to ban Chick-fil-A underscores the importance for Americans to stand up for our free speech rights and our values before it is too late. I was proud to support Chick-fil-A and our constitutional rights as Americans to speak up for traditional values.”

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(NASHVILLE), July 11, 2012 --- Senate Higher Education Subcommittee Chairman Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) said today he has sent a letter of request to Senate Education Committee Chairman Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) asking for permission to hold hearings regarding the controversy over allegations of grade alterations at Tennessee State University (TSU). 

The request comes after it was reported that the TSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors claimed that “someone in the administration” initiated hundreds of grade changes in math courses, changing them from Incompletes to Cs.   Incompletes are only allowed in extenuating circumstances.

“As we work to raise standards for our colleges and universities in Tennessee, these are serious allegations,” said Senator Summerville, who is a college instructor.  “If the allegations are true, they threaten to rattle the structure and integrity of the University and have the potential to cheapen the degrees that so many students work very hard to achieve.  It is especially alarming that the allegations are pointed at those in the top tier of the University.”

Other members of the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee are Senator Reginald Tate (D-Memphis) and Senator Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville).

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(NASHVILLE, TN), June 22, 2012 --  State Senator Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) recognized local World War II veteran McKinley Harding Choate with a framed copy of Senate Resolution 852  recognizing his meritorious service in the critical battles of that war.  The Resolution, passed by the General Assembly in April, congratulates Choate for being awarded the American Defense Service Ribbon, the EAME Theater Ribbon with one Silver Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions.  It was signed by Governor Bill Haslam in May.     

Choate joined the U.S. Army in 1940 and served as a soldier in the 83rd Armored Field Artillery Division in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.

“McKinley Choate is a true American war hero,” said Senator Summerville.  “He exemplifies the characteristics of the ‘Greatest Generation’ with great bravery and character.  I am very pleased to present him with this resolution congratulating him for his service to our state and nation.”

The resolution said, “While no offering can properly relay our gratitude for his bravery in the line of fire and his dedication to preserving the blessed freedom that is inseparable from our American heritage and ideals, it is most appropriate that we should honor McKinley Choate to the full extent of our ability, as he made untold and innumerable sacrifices to preserve the liberties we enjoy today and that our progeny will hopefully continue to cherish for generations to come.”

Choate, who is age 90, is married to Vivian Waters Choate and has five children, eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

“It was an honor to meet with Mr. Choate and see pictures of his service,” added Summerville.  “It was a very special moment and I am proud to have been a part of honoring his sacrifices for our freedom.”
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