Bill > HJR0710

This resolution honors the memory of James W. "Jim" Ayers, a prominent Tennessee businessman and philanthropist from Parsons, who founded FirstBank and grew it from a $14 million to a $13 billion financial institution. Born in 1943 to working-class parents, Ayers embodied values of hard work and entrepreneurship from a young age, starting by shining shoes and working on his family farm. He built a successful career in healthcare and banking, founding American Health Centers and FirstBank, and became a significant philanthropist through the Ayers Foundation, which has supported over 30,000 rural Tennessee students in pursuing education and career goals. Ayers and his wife Janet contributed extensively to educational and healthcare institutions, including creating the Ayers Institute at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the Ayers Children's Hospital, and receiving numerous awards for his humanitarian efforts. The resolution recognizes his exceptional character, commitment to community development, and enduring legacy of integrity, compassion, and dedication, while expressing sympathy to his family and celebrating his significant contributions to Tennessee.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR0710&ga=114