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A resolution honoring the life of Senator Thelma Harper.
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WHEREAS, Senator Thelma Harper passed away on April 22, 2021, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Thelma Harper was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1991, making her the first African-American woman to be elected to the State Senate; and
WHEREAS, following her election, Senator Harper served her constituents with passion and distinction, and was repeatedly re-elected to maintain her seat for 28 years -- making her the longest serving female State Senator in Tennessee history; and
WHEREAS, Senator Harper, a Brentwood, Tennessee native, graduated with a bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University in 1978 prior to being elected as the District 2 representative to the Metropolitan Council in 1983, a position she held until 1991; and
WHEREAS, among her major accomplishments while serving as a Council representative was the closing of the Bordeaux Landfill where she led a number of protests and blockades of dump trucks, during which she and fellow community activists were arrested; and
WHEREAS, during her career in the Tennessee General Assembly, Senator Harper was instrumental in passing legislation to aid Tennessee's most vulnerable citizens -- particularly women, children, and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, after nearly 40 years of public service, including 28 years as a beloved State Senator and 8 years as a Metro Council member, Senator Harper retired from politics in 2019; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career, Senator Harper earned the respect and admiration from colleagues on both sides of the political aisle, and was famous for her fabulous collection of hats; and
WHEREAS, Senator Harper was a proud and dedicated member of the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and she her husband were owners of several businesses, including Paul's Market, Harper's Restaurant, and a BP gas station; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recogn...
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