Nashville, Tennessee --- Governor Phil Bredesen unveiled a new Tennessee driver's license plate, named "Rolling Hills," at an annual conference of the state's 95 County Clerks today. Bredesen and the Tennessee Department of Safety have been working in recent months to finalize the new plate to be distributed to all of the state's County Clerk offices by December 2005.

The new plate, which will be issued to Tennesseans starting in January 2006, was something Bredesen felt strongly should reflect the natural beauty of the state.

"I'm proud today to unveil to you the new Tennessee driver's license plate," Bredesen told conference attendees. "When traveling across our state, drivers see streams, lush green valleys and rolling hills when they look out their windows. I wanted this new plate to reflect the magnificence of our state, as well as to serve as a symbol of the pride Tennesseans feel to live on such beautiful land."

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.