johniaberry.org

Victims' Rights Walk

Kelly — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Volunteer Landing Park
Sunday, April 13, 2008
2:00pm

To commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week, there will be a 5k walk on Sunday, April 13 at Volunteer Landing Park. Please join us as we pay tribute to crime victims and recognize the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.

This year's theme, "Justice for Victims. Justice for All", emphasizes the importance of promoting and ensuring the rights of every victim of crime in our communities.

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey will update the community on "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007" and TBI Director Mark Gwyn will have the new mobile crime lab on display. Survivors of crime and the families and friends of victims are invited to participate in the "Survivor Speak Out". Please bring pictures or other information for the memorial table display.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week runs from April 13 - 19.

Taylor Olson commits suicide

Kelly — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:49:00 +0000

Taylor Olson, the man arrested for the murder of Johnia, hanged himself in jail on March 24, 2008. Olson's trial was set to take place on July 28 of this year.

Story links

Tri Cities

WATE

Volunteer TV

WBIR

Take Back the Night Event

Kelly — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:38:00 +0000

Campus Advocates against Sexual Violence at East Tennessee University will host " Take Back the Night" 5K Road Race on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:30am on the campus of ETSU.

Take Back the Night is an internationally recognized program for the purpose of raising awareness to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children.

For more details, please visit etsu.edu/wrcetsu

LOCATION: Old College of Medicine Building
REGISTRATION: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
RACE START TIME: 8:30 a.m.

For registration information, contact Kim Bushore-Maki or Kristen Dickens, ETSU Counseling Center, at 423-439-4841 or visit runtricities.org where the registration form is available for download.

Please join us during this event.

Taylor Olson trial delayed

Kelly — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Story links

WBIR
WATE
Knox News

April 13 - Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Walk

Kelly — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:09:00 +0000

In honor of Johnia, we will be holding a memorial walk during National Crime Victims Rights Week at 2pm on April 13th at Volunteer Landing Park.

Please join us in remembering those who have been lost to violent crimes.

National Crime Victims Rights Week
April 13 - 19, 2008

Christmas Toy Drive: Update

Kelly — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:05:00 +0000

Over the past month, toys were collected in East Tennessee for the Johnia Berry Memorial Toy Drive. Yesterday, those toys made their way to a number of local organizations in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities. We would like to thank everyone who made the toy drive possible and to those who donated toys, money and time. We'd also like to thank the number of organizations who offered space at their businesses for the collection bins.

So, thank you all for making the Johnia Berry Christmas Toy Drive a success!

Find out more about the toy drive by clicking on the links below:

WVLT
WJHL
Knox News

Christmas Toy Drive: Nov. 1 - Dec. 1

Kelly — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:12:00 +0000

Since Johnia devoted her life to working with children, a number of people in the Knoxville and Tri-Cities communities have put together a toy drive in Johnia's memory to help needy children in the area have a more pleasant Christmas season. There are a number of local businesses that will be accepting toys that will be distributed to a number of children's organizations during the first week of December. If you're willing and able to contribute to this cause, please drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the locations listed below.

Thanks for helping us make the holidays a little brighter for needy children.

Knoxville area:

Borders Books & Music
- 202 Morrell Road
- 11285 Parkside Drive

WATE TV-6
- 1306 North Broadway

Earth Fare
- 10903 Parkside Drive

Lunch Box
- 9050 Cross Park Drive
- 800 South Gay Street (First Tennessee Plaza)

Zales Jewelers
- West Town Mall location

Stir Fry Cafe
- 7240 Kingston Pike
- 110001 Parkside Drive

Rugrats Children Resale
- 6113 Chapman Hwy

Mag-Pies Bakery
- 112 South Central Street

Sassy’s Repeat Boutique
- 6105 Chapman Hwy

Farragut Christian Church
- 138 Admiral Road

Shelley’s House of Style
- 11044 Huglan Drive

Tri-Cities Area:

Food City
All Tri-Cities, Abingdon & Lebanon, VA locations

Target
2116 North Roan Street, Johnson City

Stir Fry Cafe
- 3020 Franklin Terrace Drive, Johnson City

ARREST MADE!

Kelly — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:18:00 +0000

Taylor Olson, 22, has been arrested for the murder of Johnia Berry.

Olson's seven count indictment charges him with first-degree murder, attempted murder, murder in the commission of a theft, murder in the commission of a robbery, murder in the commission of a burglary and two counts of aggravated burglary.

Links to a few online articles are listed below:

WBIR

WATE

WVLT

Knox News

Media Coverage

Kelly — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:22:00 +0000

WATE ran a story last night on the 11 o'clock news. In short, a local businessman wasn't satisfied with the way his tip was handled by the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Click below to read the story.

WATE Link

Johnia's 24th Birthday has passed...

Kelly — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:31:00 +0000

...but it is still her death that remains front and center in the minds of those in her family.

This past weekend, Joan and a number of family, friends and volunteers hit the streets to distribute information about Johnia's case. It's been nearly three years since Johnia was brutally murdered here in Knoxville. The question is - are we any closer today than then to solving the case?

With Tim Hutchison out of office, there's a new sheriff in town - Jimmy "JJ" Jones - and we'd all like to think that Johnia's case would take a positive turn. Maybe now we can get the cooperation that is so desperately needed to bring a resolution to Johnia's murder.

After all, Johnia was murdered and murdered in a brutal fashion. Johnia was stabbed multiple times. Multiple!

Regardless of what any of us out there think, there are a couple of constants:

Johnia's killer is still on the streets.

Johnia's killer remains a free man.

And what about the killer?

Maybe he's in Knoxville. Maybe somewhere else.

Johnia's brother thinks the killer's still in the area. Chief Bobby Waggoner isn't quite so sure.

And yet, nearly three years after her killer walked away free, Johnia's family and friends remain diligent in spreading the word in the most crowded venues.

When it's all said and done, there's another constant:

Johnia's family will not rest until the killer is brought to justice. And if that means passing out fliers until the end of time, so be it. If it means something else entirely, well, then that's what it means.

Johnia's Birthday

Kelly — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:39:00 +0000

Today would have been Johnia's 24th birthday. We'd like to thank everyone who has offered their support and prayers over the past 33 months.

Happy birthday, Johnia.

August 25 Event

Kelly — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:28:00 +0000

Family and friends of Johnia will be gathering on Saturday, August 25 to distribute information in effort to generate leads. There will be a group on site throughout the day to hand out fliers and magnets to those who'd like to help distribute them across the area. As August 26 is Johnia's birthday, we'll also be honoring her memory.

If you have some spare time and are willing to help out, please join us.

Saturday, August 25
on the lawn at Church Street United Methodist Church
900 Henley Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

From 10am - 4pm

If you'd like a copy of the event flier to print and post, please choose one of the options below.

Printable Flier PDF
Printable Flier JPG

Petition Knox County Sheriff's Department

Kelly — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:49:00 +0000

An online petition has been started once again to ask that the Knox County Sheriff's Department allow outside resources to help with Johnia's case. The TBI has offered assistance in aiding with the investigation, but they must be invited by the sheriff, or the Knox County DA.

Also, media outlets like AMW and 48 Hours have also shown great interest in covering Johnia's case. National coverage could seriously help in finding the killer, especially if he is no longer in Tennessee. But, as with the TBI, the producers of these shows require the cooperation of the sheriff's department, but they have received none.

If you have a minute, please check the link below to go to the petition. And, as always, thank you for your continued support.

Update: The last day to sign the petition was August 5th. Thanks to everyone who signed it.

Blogger Posts

Kelly — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:13:00 +0000

We would like to thank everyone for their comments on Find Johnia Berry's Killer. You no longer have to register to post a comment. The error has been corrected.

Thanks for your prayers,
Michael Berry

Johnia Berry Act of 2007 becomes law

Kelly — Thu, 31 May 2007 01:24:00 +0000

Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law today that requires anyone arrested for a violent crime to give a DNA sample. Named "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007", the new law requires DNA samples to be taken from persons booked for violent felonies after January 1, 2008.

We would like to say a sincere thank you to Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, Representative Jason Mumpower, the supporting state senators and representatives, Governor Bredesen, and all of our family and friends who have been so very gracious with their time and support over the past two years. Without you, realizing this important law would've been impossible.

To learn more, read here.

Johnia Berry Act awaiting Governor's signature

Kelly — Sat, 12 May 2007 14:47:00 +0000

DNA legislation that could be used one day to identify the killer of college student Johnia Berry passed unanimously in the Tennessee House on Wednesday and now awaits Gov. Phil Bredesen's signature.

"We expect he will sign it quickly," House GOP Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol told House lawmakers of Bredesen's anticipated signing of the "Johnia Berry Act of 2007."

The bill calls for DNA samples to be taken from persons booked for "violent felonies" including murders, assaults, rapes and even robbery after Jan. 1.

Besides Mumpower, the bill had another powerful Northeast Tennessee Republican sponsor: Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey of Blountville.

Berry's parents, Joan and Mike Berry, were present on the House floor for the vote. The bill also designated the Knoxville office of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to be known as the "Johnia Berry Field Office."

Berry, formerly of Bristol, was an East Tennessee State University graduate who moved to Knoxville to enter a master's degree program at the University of Tennessee. On Dec. 6, 2004, someone entered her apartment and brutally stabbed her to death. Her killer is still at large.

To be caught, Berry's killer would have to get arrested for another violent crime after the bill becomes law.

"We do know he left a little bit of himself behind in the form of a DNA sample," Mumpower said of her killer. "We want to establish the first DNA database for people when they are arrested for certain violent felonies using a mouth swab. Upon conviction, that sample will be entered in a statewide DNA database. It will be the fingerprint of the future."

If the charge that was the basis for the sample being taken is dismissed or the defendant is acquitted, the TBI would destroy the sample and all other records, according to the bill.

Under legislation pushed by Ramsey and approved last year by the legislature, the TBI received six new positions to reduce an existing backlog in DNA analysis.

All 50 states currently require that convicted sex offenders provide a DNA sample, and states are increasingly expanding these policies to include all felons or many serious felony offenders, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

To date, 44 states require that all convicted felons provide a DNA sample to the state's database. Seven states, including Virginia, also now have laws authorizing DNA sampling of arrestees. DNA databases in all states today are connected to the National DNA Index System, which is run by the FBI for federal and state information sharing.

Under current Tennessee law, anyone convicted of a felony committed on or after July 1, 1998, must provide a DNA sample to authorities.

Ramsey told House lawmakers that the DNA bill was one of only a few bills he is sponsoring this year.

"A lot of times when we are down here we pass bills that don't really make a difference," he said. "This bill will make a difference. It will help convict people across the state and prove people's innocence across the state. It is truly landmark legislation."

State Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, also got to speak and told House members that Johnia Berry's middle name was "Hope."

"(Mike and Joan Berry) talked about how much she liked to help people. ... In this way, she continues to do that," Lundberg said.

Another House member who spoke was state Rep. Nathan Vaughn, D-Kingsport. He told lawmakers that "a new birth" happens after tragedies.

"This will make our state a whole lot safer for the Johnia Berrys of tomorrow," Vaughn said.

(Story Published 05/09/2007 by Hank Hayes of timesnews.net)

DNA Legislation passes House

Kelly — Thu, 10 May 2007 00:10:00 +0000

The vote on the House floor in Nashville today was 98-0, all ayes for DNA legislation that will require a DNA sample from all persons arrested for violent crimes in the state of Tennessee.

State Representative Jason Mumpower sponsored the House bill that is now one step closer to becoming legislation. Governor Bredesen's signature is the final step in cementing this very important law.

Johnia's parents and one of her brothers were in Nashville to witness the unanimous vote.

Media Coverage

Kelly — Sun, 06 May 2007 14:54:00 +0000

The Bristol Herald Courier covered Johnia's story today. Click here to read.

A story on the DNA legislation that can be found here.

The editor of the Bristol Herald Courier also wrote an article in the "Opinion" section of the paper.

DNA Legislation Passes the Senate

Kelly — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:32:00 +0000

On Monday afternoon in Nashville, the Senate unanimously approved legislation that will require all persons arrested of violent crimes to submit DNA that will be checked against a DNA database. The legislation has been at the center of Joan and Mike Berry's crusade to bolster laws that will help solve cases like Johnia's.

Named "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007", the new law will take effect January 2008.

Knox News article

Memorial Walk at ETSU in Johnson City

Kelly — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 15:33:00 +0000

In addition to the event scheduled in Knoxville to honor victims of violent crimes during National Crime Victims' Rights Week , we will also be holding a similar event in Johnson City on the campus of ETSU on Saturday, April 28 at 9am. The event will begin at the Center for Physical Activity and a memorial walk will follow. If you're unable to join us in Knoxville, please attend the event in Johnson City.

Click here for a map of the ETSU campus. The Center for Physical Activity is #75.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Kelly — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:38:00 +0000

April 22-28, 2007 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – a time for all Americans to learn about victimization, reflect on the cost of crime to our society, and promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. The week’s theme, “Victims’ Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.” envisions a strengthened national commitment to the nearly 24 million Americans harmed by crime each year.

The U.S. Department of Justice will launch National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Washington, DC with its fifth annual National Candlelight Observance Ceremony on April 19, and its Awards Ceremony, April 20, to honor extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime. There will be many special events and programs across the state of Tennessee to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 22-28, 2007. Community members are encouraged to join in the week’s activities and get involved in helping victims of crime.

Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Walk

In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a remembrance walk to honor all victims of violent crime will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at Volunteer Landing Park, 400 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN. The 5k walk will begin at Volunteer Landing and continue along the Tennessee River waterfront and down the Third Creek Greenway by the UT Trial Gardens. The UT Faculty Club is the midway/turnaround point at which time we will return to Volunteer Landing.

Prior to the walk, officials from both the city of Knoxville and Knox County will present a proclamation declaring the week of April 22-28, 2007 to be National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to Jeanne Dotts Brykalski from the East Tennessee Victims’ Rights Task Force. There will also be an opportunity for the families and friends of victims to speak and tables will be set up to display pictures or other information the families would like to share.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey. Encouraged by the parents of Johnia Berry, Ramsey sponsored the DNA bill currently making its way through the legislature. Under the proposed bill, named the Johnia Berry Act of 2007, a DNA sample could be taken from anyone arrested in connection with certain violent felony arrests. If the person is later cleared of the crime, the DNA sample is destroyed. The primary purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our ability to solve crimes and take violent offenders off the street.

For more information, please contact:

East Tennessee Victims’ Rights Task Force
info@etvictimsrights.org

Dena HySmith
denahysmith@att.net

Joan Berry
jberry5916@bellsouth.net

The Johnia Berry Act: State Representative Jason Mumpower's Words

Kelly — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:13:00 +0000

The Tennessean.com
Monday, 04/02/07

Strengthen the ability to solve more crimes

By STATE REP. JASON MUMPOWER

Johnia Berry had just graduated from East Tennessee State University and was preparing for graduate school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She was ambitious, hoping to eventually earn a doctorate in psychology while simultaneously planning her wedding. But in the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 2004, an unknown assailant broke into Johnia's apartment and brutally killed her, ending many hopes and dreams that will never be realized. Now, nearly two years later, her killer is still on the loose.

Hopefully, the "Johnia Berry Act" will work to rectify this tragic situation and others like it. The act will require DNA to be collected upon certain violent felony arrests, and these samples will then be added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's DNA database. The primary purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our ability to solve crimes and take violent offenders off the streets. A simple swab is all it takes. Current law already requires that anyone convicted of a felony provide a blood sample so that TBI can extract the person's genetic code. This DNA test will be done by simply swabbing the inside of the person's mouth at the cheek, actually making it less physically intrusive than those tests done in the past. Implementing this measure will also improve and expand upon the state's current DNA database, which the TBI believes could really make a difference in bringing those guilty of violent crimes to justice.

Seven states — California, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia — already have this law on the books, and the results are impressive. For example, after Virginia passed the legislation, 288 crimes were immediately solved as a result. Not only were the victims and their families finally able to receive the justice they deserved, but numerous violent offenders were taken off the streets, potentially preventing other heartbreaking stories like Johnia's.

Opponents of the legislation argue that such databases violate the rights of those who supply their DNA samples. But the collecting of samples will also protect the innocent by exonerating them. And if a person is cleared of the crime, or subsequently found "not guilty," the DNA sample is destroyed.

DNA sampling has changed the face of solving crimes. For decades, police had to rely on fingerprint techniques to link suspects to crimes. Fingerprint analysis can be very subjective, while DNA sampling is virtually foolproof. The risk of a coincidental DNA match is 1 in 100 billion. If this legislation takes just one violent offender off the streets, that's one less Johnia Berry whose family has to suffer such a tragic loss. However, the positive effects will likely be far greater. Further, while the rights of the accused should and will be protected, the victims of heinous crimes and their families deserve the closure that comes with seeing a murderer brought to justice. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens from violent crime, and with this legislation, we will have the ability to do so.

Sunny Days, Happy Memories

Kelly — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:35:00 +0000

The flowers are blooming, the air is warm, and everything seems just a little brighter since the arrival of Spring last week. As I look out the window, I am overwhelmed with thoughts of Johnia today. I am thinking about how much she enjoyed this time of year: tank tops, flip flops, and riding around with the top down, her pony tail swinging in the breeze. In the picture above, she is accompanied by her niece (my oldest daughter), Camryn. Their faces are cast in shadow, but they are waving and you can see their smiles. On this particular day, they were both just happy to be together and to be alive.

I wanted to post a brief note and picture today, because Johnia is so strongly in my heart and on my mind. When I feel the warm sun on my face it takes my back to other sunny days and happy memories. One of the best times was a family beach trip the summer of 2002. Johnia and I spent a lot of time sharing a raft on the waves that week. We talked, laughed, and baked in the sun. We simply had a good time. I can see her smile. I hear her laugh. I can hear her call my name. I am thankful for my memories.

Johnia lived each and every day to the fullest. She appreciated everything in life: her family, her friends, the warmth of the sun, the gift of life. She made the most of each day and was thankful for it. It is because of Johnia that I appreciate the sunshine, the flowers in bloom, the warm air, and all the beauty that is just outside my window today. It is because of Johnia that I have learned to appreciate life.

Johnia was full of life and love and reminded us all each day of her love for us. When I read 1Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13, I think of Johnia:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

With love, Kristie

Media Coverage: The Johnia Berry Act

Kelly — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:04:00 +0000

Arrests may put DNA to wider tests

Bill would permit samples from felony suspects to be checked against other crimes

By COLBY SLEDGE Staff Writer, The Tennessean
Published: Monday, 03/26/07

Tennessee police could soon be collecting DNA samples from anyone arrested in connection with a violent felony and checking them against samples from other crimes if a currently proposed bill becomes law in the state.
The bill is making its way through the legislature as a growing number of police crime labs nationwide are creating databases of DNA taken from people who are not convicted or charged during investigations and using that DNA to match them to other crimes.
Such databases operate beyond the reach of state or federal laws. They have sparked a controversy, pitting the labs against civil libertarians and defense lawyers who say such databases violate the rights of those who supplied their DNA samples under different circumstances.
Current Tennessee law requires that anyone convicted of a felony on or after July 1, 1998, provide a blood sample to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation so scientists can extract the person's genetic code.
Under the proposed bill, named the Johnia Berry Act of 2007 after an East Tennessee State University graduate student killed in Knoxville in 2004, a DNA sample could be taken from anyone arrested in connection with a violent felony. Violent felonies would range from first- or second-degree murder to carjacking.
That sample could then be used to examine other crimes in search of a DNA match, said Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville. Ramsey and Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville are co-sponsors of the Senate version of the bill.
"The parents (of Johnia Berry) encouraged me to do this, but I was a little reluctant at first," Ramsey said. "But then I considered, we take fingerprints of people who are charged, and lots of times DNA can prove innocence as well as guilt."
DNA of innocent isn't kept
Under the bill, if the charge is later dismissed or the person is not convicted, the TBI would destroy the DNA sample. If the person is charged or convicted of any other crime resulting from a match, however, the sample would remain in the TBI database, Ramsey said.
The bill is set to be reviewed in the Senate and the House on Tuesday. It is sponsored by state Rep. Jason E. Mumpower (R-Bristol) in the House.
Ramsey said the purpose of the bill is to improve the state's current DNA database.
"We don't have much of a database except for a very few convicted sex offenders," he said. "It's coming to where DNA is really the 21st-century fingerprint."
Ramsey said he had spoken to Gov. Phil Bredesen about the bill and that Bredesen said he "would be willing to work with me on this."
Few court rulings exist to say whether DNA databases are legal or whether data contained in them can be used in criminal cases. State legislators in Illinois and New York this year are among the first to consider bills that would regulate or forbid the databases.
All 50 states and the federal government maintain databases of DNA profiles taken from persons convicted or in seven states indicted for murder, rape and other crimes.
The DNA profiles are matched to genetic material taken from unsolved crimes through an FBI computer system. The system, called CODIS, has matched suspects to crimes in more than 35,000 cases, said FBI spokeswoman Ann Todd.
However, there are a growing number of DNA samples the FBI can't store. They include DNA taken from criminal suspects who aren't charged.

"Johnia Berry Act"

Kelly — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:34:00 +0000

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey
State of Tennessee Legislative Weekly Wrap-up

“Johnia Berry Act” approved by Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday to require all individuals arrested for violent felonies to provide a DNA sample to the TBI. The “Johnia Berry Act” is named for an ETSU graduate who was murdered in Knoxville after moving there to work on her graduate degree.

Current law provides that persons provide a DNA sample only after they have been convicted and sentenced for certain violent felonies. DNA samples are the fingerprints of the 21st century and are an essential crime fighting tool. I sponsored the bill to increase the chances of catching violent criminals and to exonerate those who may have been wrongly charged.

Johnia Berry was an ETSU graduate that had moved to Knoxville to enroll at UT to work on a Master’s Degree. On December 6, 2004, someone entered her apartment and brutally murdered her. The killer has not been found despite the fact that DNA evidence was taken at the scene. The parents of Johnia feel that Tennessee does not have enough DNA samples in their data bank. Last year, I worked with the TBI to get more funding and staffing for the DNA data bank program. This year I hope to gain passage in both the House and Senate for the bill.

The legislation now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.

More about the bill: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1196.pdf.