HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1416
By Faison
A RESOLUTION to honor the community of Sunset Gap on the occasion of its 100th anniversary as Cocke County celebrates "Sunset Gap Day."
WHEREAS, we take great pleasure in honoring those organizations that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our fellow Tennesseans; and WHEREAS, one such exceptional organization is Sunset Gap, a Christian-based organization that unites people of all faiths by providing programs that contribute to the physical,
social, economic, and spiritual growth of the Appalachian people; and WHEREAS, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Sunset Gap in Cocke County,
which will be specially honored with the celebration of "Sunset Gap Day" on July 4, 2024, in Cocke County; and WHEREAS, Sunset Gap was established as Juniper School by the United Presbyterian Church in 1899 to meet the educational needs of the isolated, rural community in Cocke County;
and WHEREAS, in 1928, the needs changed, and a new building was added to serve as a clinic for typhoid and tuberculosis patients; and WHEREAS, Sunset Gap expanded in the 1950s to offer organized recreational activities,
such as baseball, sewing, and crafting groups in addition to helping improve local farming practices; and WHEREAS, in 1964, the community opened a preschool and established Boy Scout and Girl Scout units; that same year the thrift store and home repair mission camps began; and WHEREAS, in 1968, the Board of National Missions turned Sunset Gap over to the Synod of the South, and 501(c)(3) status was gained in 1993; and HJR1416
018513
-1-
WHEREAS, the opening of the Food Pantry eased the pressures on the food distribution program, and the Holston and East Tennessee Presbyteries signed covenants in 1995; and WHEREAS, in addition to helping combat local food insecurity via the Food Pantry,
Sunset Gap helps dollars stretch for customers who purchase clothing and household goods at
the Thrift Store; during the summer months, assistance with home repair is offered by national Mission Groups; and WHEREAS, with the support of local volunteers, sponsors, and donations, Sunset Gap celebrates special events such as Easter, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that we honor this fine organization as it commemorates this historic milestone; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor Sunset Gap upon the commemoration of the organization's 100th anniversary, salute its many contributions to the State of Tennessee, and join with the residents of Cocke County as they celebrate July 4, 2024, as "Sunset Gap Day" in Cocke County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear without House or Senate designation.
-2- 018513