December 14th, 2009
December 6, 2009
Thank you for the tremendous honor to be among you today. In front of us, we have freedom’s heroes. It’s because of men and women like these that we enjoy freedom in this country. Thank you for your service.
We are eight years removed from 9-11. As we get further from that fateful day, it is easier for some to forget the terror that occurred on that day.
Many say, we won’t forget but I wonder just how many of us may have thought today about the unannounced military strike against a US naval base in the Pacific Ocean that occurred 68 years ago. Let’s remember those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor and let’s remember 9-11.
Continued acts of cowardice should serve to remind us that we remain under attack from an enemy who chooses to hide behind innocent victims, including those of their own nationality and beliefs. Thank God we have men and women willing to risk their lives to fight this evil. We appreciate your sacrifice.
And, thank you for representing us — and I mean our nation, our state, and our local hometowns — with honor. In this world of new technology, we have seen the many images of heroism of the finest men and women our nation has to offer from our armed services. Our soldiers continue to show the heart and soul of this country.
We have seen the compassion shown to a people who have knew nothing but tyranny and terror before Operation Enduring Freedom….Those people and their children — and the direction they will take in the future — will be forever changed for the better because of your service. You have extended a helping hand to a nation that would otherwise represent a threat to the peace and stability — and that, in turn, affects the safety and security of the world.
If not for soldiers like you – our patriotic Tennessee volunteers and ambassadors of freedom – the world would be a dark place. I join millions of your fellow Americans who believe that your service to our nation is nothing short of inspirational.
Today I am humbled and honored to present to Captain Wingo on behalf of Alpha Battery a Tennessee flag flown over our state capitol to go with you on this journey. May it wave proudly as it follows this unit to Iraq and serve to remind you of your Tennessee home and the people of this state who are so proud to call you native sons and daughters.
Thank you for representing our nation, our state, and our hometowns with honor. We are proud of you. But most of all we offer our prayers that we will have you back home safe.
God bless you and may God bless America!
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December 8th, 2009
By Chloe Morrison
Originally published: December 07. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: December 06. 2009 9:29PM
Smiling through her tears Sunday morning, Blount County resident Judy Smith watched as her youngest son prepared to deploy to Camp Shelby, Miss., before leaving for Iraq in February.
“I’m proud and sad,” she said, smiling through her tears. “I don’t want him to go, but he’s good at what he does. He likes what he does, and he’s helping others.”
Smith’s son — Blount County native Nathaniel John Schaefer, 26 — is part of the Maryville-based Howitzer Battery, 1st Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, which left for Mississippi Sunday morning.
The 278th is the state’s largest combat unit. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 17,000 soldiers from the group have deployed, Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham said.
Dozens of soldiers, including Schaefer, stood at attention in front of family members and community leaders during a farewell ceremony at the National Guard Armory on West Lamar Alexander Parkway before saying final good-byes.
Although the Battery left for Camp Shelby Sunday morning, they will be able to spend the Christmas holiday at home — thanks to support from area residents.
Blount County residents and the Family Readiness Group raised enough money to bus the group back home on Dec. 22, which made Sunday’s farewell a little easier.
Help from the Red Cross
Red Cross representatives help get news from the home front to soldiers overseas.
“Every day, the Red Cross carries the sad news of a death or illness of a family member, the joyful news of a birth, to servicemen and women worldwide,” Executive Director of the Blount County Chapter Chris Davis said in a prepared statement.
Families should keep key information handy in case the organization needs to contact a solider.
Information to keep close-at-hand:
The service man or woman’s full name, social security number, the military address where they are deployed, the rank and branch of service, the home base unit and name and phone number of your local Red Cross.
See Also: Remarks of Senator Doug Overbey To the 1st Squadron of the 278th Armored Cavalry Division
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October 16th, 2009
(NASHVILLE, TN), October 16, 2009 — State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been appointed to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Statewide Planning and Policy Council. The appointment was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey in Nashville this week.
“I am very pleased to be appointed to this Council” said Sen. Overbey, who serves on the Health and Human Resources Committee in the Senate, which oversees matters involving mental health and developmental disability issues. “I look forward to being a part of working with my colleagues on the Council to improve opportunities for these citizens.”
Overbey has introduced numerous bills over the past several years to help citizens in need of mental health services, including a law passed this year that would ensure that crisis services continue to be available. That new law requires the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to coordinate with other departments and agencies of state government to make sure that services for persons in psychiatric emergencies include a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week toll free telephone number, and walk-in triage screening, assessment, intervention and follow-up care. It also calls for access to in-house crisis care.
Overbey represents Blount and Sevier Counties in District 8 in the State Senate.
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August 4th, 2009
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: darlene.schlicher@legislature.state.tn.us
(NASHVILLE, TN), August 4, 2009 – Governor Phil Bredesen today signed innovative legislation sponsored by Senators Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) designed to grow jobs through a program that would provide capital to small businesses. The bill creates the TNINVESTCO Program to provide benefits to small, medium-sized, and start-up businesses that do not enjoy the same economic development incentives that have been provided to the larger companies that invest capital in Tennessee.
“The overwhelming majority of jobs in this state are created by small businesses,” said Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), who sponsored the bill. “We are a state of entrepreneurs, but there is a lack of adequate capital to take those ideas and grow a business. This bill will give them that opportunity.”
The bill, SB 1203, authorizes tax incentives for private investors to create a pool of capital totaling $120 million. That money will be divided among professional investment firms. These Tennessee-based firms will then invest the money in small businesses located and headquartered in Tennessee. The money must remain invested in Tennessee for ten years.
Under the plan, investors receive a tax credit against insurance premiums taxes that spread over years three through ten of the program. Even though the capital will be available for small businesses immediately, there are no tax credits for investors until 2012. Capital returned to the state must first go to the General Fund. Once enough money has been repaid, the remaining funds will be deposited in the Rural Opportunity Fund.
“Throughout the ten years the money is invested and even beyond, the state will reap the benefits of job growth from these small businesses,” added Overbey. “This is a great opportunity for economic development in our state.”
“Additionally, experts in this field have told us that this legislation will be a model for other states. It’s great for Tennessee to be a leader in looking after and assisting small and start-up businesses. I am pleased this bill has been signed into law,” Overbey concluded.
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July 2nd, 2009
Tennesseans on this Independence Day are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their Revolutionary War ancestors
As families across the state gather on this Independence Day to observe the founding of our nation’s freedom with picnics, fireworks, parades and other special events, may we all remember those who have fought and are still fighting for the cause of freedom. We have much to be proud of in Tennessee regarding our state’s rich heritage in protecting and defending the precious rights we enjoy as Americans.
As we look back on our nation’s struggles in the American Revolution, even before Tennessee became a state, our ancestors had already begun bravely to answer the call of freedom. It started at Kings Mountain, which was one of the most decisive Patriot victories of the Revolutionary War. Tennessee rebels left their homes, marched hundreds of miles over mountainous terrain and were victorious over British troops, forcing them into a series of maneuvers that eventually led to the surrender at Yorktown.
This early example of heroics set the path for Tennesseans, whom time and time again would show that, when our homes and our liberties are threatened, our volunteers will go forth to meet the threat head-on. For that reason, Tennesseans went to war again, marching off to New Orleans in 1812 to crush another British threat to the South and making a Tennessee General, Andrew Jackson, the only national hero to emerge from that war.
When Tennessee was called upon for 2,800 soldiers in the next major U.S. confrontation with Mexico in 1848, an overwhelming 30,000 came forward, and hence forth, Tennessee has been known as the Volunteer State.
In 1861 Union was torn with the War Between the States. Tennesseans became leaders for both sides of the struggle. Our state became a major battle ground of the war that followed, and not one of Tennessee’s citizens was left untouched.
When a united America once again called upon Tennessee during the war with Spain in the late 1800’s, the the Volunteer state rose to the occasion, filling the ranks of service from Cuba to the Philippines.
As the 20th century dawned, Tennesseans responded to freedom’s call in the first and second World Wars. Likewise, many young Tennesseans fought bravely in the jungles of Vietnam. The men and women who fought in these wars, like those stationed overseas today, are not just American heroes, but heroes to many nations.
In fact, it was a Tennessee artillery battalion that was among the first to reach the Euphrates River in Iraq during the Gulf War and the first flag to be raised over liberated Kuwait City was the flag of Tennessee.
In the current conflict in Iraq, more than 12,000 brave citizen soldiers and airmen from the Volunteer State have answered the call to active duty. Tennessee is the model state in the nation for the number of citizen soldiers, truly living up to our “Volunteer” name.
I’m proud of our service men and women. They are persons of character and conviction, and they are literally changing our world. Our prayers continue to go out to them for their safe return.
Tennesseans serving in Afghanistan and Iraq today are just as much in the forefront of the struggle for freedom as their ancestors were at Kings Mountain, whose victory we celebrate on this Independence Day. As long as America is blessed with such heroes, the efforts of the Founding Fathers will not have been in vain, and the fruits of their labors will be preserved for future generations.
Best regards,
Doug Overbey
State Senator
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June 18th, 2009
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov
(NASHVILLE, TN), June 18, 2009 – The General Assembly has approved legislation cracking down on violent crime in Tennessee that builds on the “Crooks with Guns Law” passed by the legislature last year. The bill, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), adds attempted first degree murder to the Crooks with Guns Law.
“Tennessee ranks second in the nation in the number of violent crimes,” said Senator Norris, who sponsored the original Crooks with Guns Law. “This legislation would work to keep those offenders off the street where they are no longer a danger to the public.”
Sixty-seven percent of those convicted of violent crimes are re-arrested within three years of being released from prison. The recidivism rate increases to 80 percent when you move past that three-year marker. Read the rest of this entry »
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June 11th, 2009
(NASHVILLE, TN), June 10, 2009 — Legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) was approved today in the State Senate urging the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors to enter into a long-term contract with Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). The resolution, SJR 622, was approved unanimously after all members of the State Senate signed on to co-sponsor the measure.
“I was very pleased at the overwhelming bi-partisan support of our State Senate on this Resolution,” said Senator Overbey. “Approximately 500 jobs are dependent on restarting the smelter which, in turn, is dependent upon completing this contract. This Resolution sends a message to Congress and the TVA that Tennessee believes it is critical to finalize this contract.”
Alcoa has been in operation in Blount County since 1913, nearly three decades before the TVA was established. Currently its Tennessee Operations, which involve the manufacture of primary aluminum and aluminum can sheet, employs approximately 1,600 persons. The company has an economic impact of more than $3 billion dollars annually in Blount County and East Tennessee.
In March, Alcoa announced a temporary curtailment of its Primary Metals facility and employee layoffs due to economic condition. According to Alcoa officials, a key driver in their ability to restart the plant is whether or not they have a competitive long-term power contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Alcoa and the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority are currently in good faith negotiations regarding the contract.
“The smelter’s power cost is in the top 15 percent of all smelters in North America,” added Overbey. “It is vital that TVA realize the economic impact Alcoa has on Blount County and all East Tennessee.”
The bill calls for the resolution to be delivered to TVA’s Board of Directors and each member of the Tennessee Congressional delegation.
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