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Senate honors Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and presents first TriStar General Award to his wife Jan
Summary
On the final floor day of the session, the Tennessee Senate held a lengthy recognition for Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally’s 48 years of public service and read a resolution honoring his wife, Jan McNally; colleagues from both parties praised his quiet leadership.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate opened its floor session with a lengthy tribute to Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally on Monday, where members from both parties praised his 48 years of public service and presented a longstanding honor to his wife, Jan McNally.
Senate leaders paused routine business so senators could offer personal recollections and formal recognition. Leader Johnson invited Governor Bill Lee and House Speaker Cameron Sexton onto the floor for a special presentation; Governor Lee described McNally as “a mentor to me” and praised his legacy of service and integrity. "It's an honor for me to be standing here on this floor," Governor Lee said as he presented the award.
Senator Taylor introduced the day’s chaplain and welcomed members to stand for the invocation before the recognitions began. The clerk then read Senate Joint Resolution 998, authored by Senator Massey, which honors Jan McNally of Oak Ridge for her career in health care leadership, nonprofit service and a statewide arts initiative that reportedly directed $1,000,000 to bring arts programming to seniors in nursing homes.
Members offered tributes across the chamber. Chairman Yeager recalled meeting McNally in 1978 and described him as a ‘‘fair-minded’’ leader who listens to all sides. Leader Akbari, who serves in the minority, said McNally was ‘‘the Lieutenant Governor for everyone’’ and praised his fairness and mentorship across generations. ‘‘There will never be another Randy McNally,’’ she said.
Senator Massey and others noted that the TriStar General Award — created by the General Assembly a decade ago but never before given — was being presented this year as a unique recognition of Jan McNally’s contributions. The resolution cited Jan McNally’s leadership roles at Covenant Health and Methodist Medical Center, her work with the Tennessee Arts Commission and a partnership that directed substantial public–private funding to arts and culture programs statewide.
Lieutenant Governor McNally addressed the chamber and thanked members and family, reflecting on the sacrifices public service requires. "I love the Senate. I love the process. I love the members in the Senate," he said, thanking his wife and daughters and praising staff and the institution. He stressed gratitude for service rather than focusing on personal accomplishments.
Also recognized during the morning were other retirees and honorees, and the Senate paused to applaud guests in the gallery, including students from Saint Mary’s School of Oak Ridge.
The day’s recognitions concluded as the Senate returned to rule-bound business on its message calendar, but members said the tributes underscored the bipartisan respect McNally built over nearly five decades in Tennessee government.
