Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.”

Andrew Jackson

Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee came to Lincoln County last Thursday and visited Camp Blount. There was a large crowd and the weather cleared up and the sun came out just before he arrived. Fayetteville Mayor Michael Whisenant and Lincoln County Mayor Bill Newman had a great program planned.

Dr. Farris Beasley gave a very fact-filled history of the events at Camp Blount back in 1813 where there was a call to action by General Andrew Jackson to fight the Indians and the British. This is where we believe the terms “Tennessee Volunteer” and “Volunteer State” first started and are still true today. The mayors presented Governor Lee with a miniature version of the statue at Camp Blount and everyone had a great time.

I had three bills Monday night on the House Floor and all passed pretty easily. I had HB 2146 - my big bill about replacing the rules and regulations for approving CDL drivers on the Floor Thursday at 9 a.m. It passed the House and is on the calendar for the Senate next week. I really believe this legislation is going to make a big positive step in approving many new drivers and help alleviate some of the supply-chain problems in our nation.

On Tuesday morning at 6:45, I attended the Men of Valor breakfast at the Music City Center. There were over 1,600 attendees and we heard about the good works that the group is providing to men while they are in prison and the help they offer to them when they are released. They are committed to: “winning men in prison to Jesus Christ and discipling them. [Their] goal is to equip them to reenter society as men of integrity — becoming givers to the community rather than takers.”

Men of Valor is celebrating their 25th anniversary here in Nashville and soon will be opening their Knoxville branch. They raised over $800,000 in each of the last 2 years over the pandemic. Great organization!

Some of the Tennessee Trucking Association members came by my office Wednesday afternoon for a visit and a Legislative update. Then later on that afternoon, they had a reception at the law offices of Adams and Reese on West End Avenue. After that, our House Republican Caucus had a get together at the Sounds game in North Nashville. Our House Speaker, Cameron Sexton, threw out the first pitch and it was a perfect strike.

I carried and passed legislation to allow the TWRA to invest their funds from Lifetime Sportsman Licenses with the state treasury. They have over $71 million and have been collecting about $100,000 in interest a year. With the change we are making, this should allow them to now earn $4-5 million annually. HB 2129 is on its way to the Governor and I think the funds will be in very good hands under Treasurer Lillard.

The House recently passed a bill to help make sure Tennessee high school students are being taught the benefits of America’s founding principles. HB 2742 requires students in grades 9-12 learn about the virtues of capitalism and our constitutional republic form of government as compared to other systems such as communism and socialism. With so much going on in the world, we need to make sure our kids understand the reasons why everyone wants to come to the U.S. for an environment where they can be successful and pursue the American Dream.

The House unanimously approved legislation Thursday that expands who can visit a hospital patient during a time when COVID-19 is a health concern. HB 2665 requires that hospitals allow a patient to have at least one visitor as long as the individual agrees to follow safety protocols established by the facility and the patient isn’t in the ICU.

The Transportation committee had their omnibus bills on the Floor this week. In addition to bridge namings, we worked with Linda Williams of Lincoln County to get the section of Highway 431 from the Elk River bridge to the state line designated as a “Gold Star Families Memorial Highway” to honor the families of the courageous men and women who lost their lives in service to this country.

In addition, Beth Davis, of the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, along with Scott Johnson and Shane Hooper helped us in getting a specialty license plate named “River Life” to assist Bedford County emergency services with Duck River safety and challenges. The artwork for the plate was designed by local high school students and I look forward to seeing these plates on vehicles around town soon.

On Thursdays, we get out of the Legislature about noon and almost everyone is rushing to get to their cars and head home and get back to their real jobs. This Thursday, I found out right after noon, which was the filing deadline, that I don’t have an opponent for this year’s election!! That made my day so much more special.

If you ever need assistance, you are welcome to visit me in Suite 610 of the Cordell Hull Building. You can also give me a call at 615-741-6824 or send an email to rep.pat.marsh@ capitol.tn.gov. I’m honored to serve as your state representative and want to continue to do my best to serve you well