Tennessee House opens session with tributes to storm victims and praise for first responders

The Tennessee House of Representatives opened its session with members offering condolences, recognizing emergency crews and thanking community organizations that assisted after a recent severe winter storm.

Mayor Larry Lambert told the chamber that the state had suffered "some of the worst weather that we've seen since 1994" and asked members to recognize first responders, linemen and volunteers. "And unfortunately, we still lost, at last count, 23 Tennesseans due to this storm," he said, asking the House to remember those victims and the workers who responded.

Several members called for moments of silence to honor individual losses. Representative Butler asked the body to remember County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Bonin, who "was shot and killed Friday in the line of duty." Chairman Clemens later asked members to observe a moment of silence for Betty Fraley, a longtime Franklin County teacher.

Lawmakers also recognized efforts by utilities and organized groups. Representative Chisholm praised Memphis Light, Gas and Water for its work during the storm, while Representative Salinas listed nonprofit groups—including the Tennessee Immigrant Rights Coalition, Feed Up and the Tennessee Equity Alliance—that provided food, shelter and assistance to families, including immigrant residents.

Representative Hammer thanked the governor for activating the National Guard and said many utility crews and volunteers "have been there, slept overnight for more than 5 nights of the past week" to restore services. Several members referenced ongoing outages in their districts and urged continued recovery work.

The opening remarks combined memorials, constituent recognitions and acknowledgments of relief efforts as legislators prepared to move into the day's legislative business.