Governor, First Lady Host 2009 "Tennessee Season to Remember"

 

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte hosted families from across Tennessee this evening for “A Tennessee Season to Remember,” an annual holiday memorial event to honor Tennesseans who have lost their lives to violent crime.

 

“The devastation of losing a family member to violent crime can become even more difficult to bear during the holidays,” Conte said. “This event is an opportunity for families to honor their loved ones by joining with others who’ve experienced a similar loss to remember those they love and celebrate the lives they led.”

 

The families gathered at the State Capitol in Nashville to hear the names of their loved ones read as they hung ornaments on two memorial wreaths. The wreaths will be on display in the Capitol throughout the holiday season.

 

“The wreaths that bear these ornaments of remembrance for homicide victims will remind everyone who visits the Capitol this season of the lives that are missed and honored by tonight’s event,” said Bredesen.

 

Tom Thurman, Deputy District Attorney of the 20th Judicial District, served as tonight’s special guest speaker. Known for his relentless pursuit of justice, Thurman has a reputation for being both a tenacious litigator in the courtroom and a tireless champion of the victims’ movement.

 

NewsChannel5 anchor Vicki Yates moderated the ceremony, while instrumentalist Tom Shinness and the Music City Community Choir provided musical performances in memoriam of victims of violent crime.

 

In addition to the individual Tennesseans gathering to remember their loved ones, prosecutors and victim witness coordinators from Tennessee’s Judicial Districts hung ornaments in remembrance of the victims they have represented. State Senator Charlotte Burks hung an ornament in remembrance of her husband, Senator Tommy Burks. Representatives of the Tennessee Attorney General’s office hung ornaments in honor of the families it assists, and law enforcement officials paid special homage to comrades killed in the line of duty.

 

“A Season to Remember” was first organized by individuals in Davidson County as a holiday memorial for the surviving family members of victims of homicide. When Bredesen was mayor of Nashville, the event was moved from the Metro Court House to Centennial Park to accommodate its large crowds. In 2003, Bredesen and Conte established a statewide “Tennessee Season to Remember,” inviting families from across the state to join them at the Capitol for the event.