Bill > SJR0018

This resolution commemorates the heroic actions of Tom Lee, who on May 8, 1925, rescued thirty-two people from the Mississippi River after the steamboat M.E. Norman capsized near Memphis, despite Lee's own inability to swim. The resolution highlights Lee's remarkable courage, noting that he was subsequently recognized by President Calvin Coolidge, awarded a job as a sanitation worker, and had Astor Park in Memphis renamed Tom Lee Park in 1954. The document emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring such acts of selflessness, portraying Lee as an exemplar of human virtue who risked his own life to save others during an emergency. By officially recognizing the 100th anniversary of this heroic event, the Tennessee General Assembly seeks to ensure that Lee's courageous deed is not forgotten and serves as an inspiration for future generations, demonstrating how ordinary citizens can become heroes in moments of crisis.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SJR0018&ga=114