HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1462
By Carringer
A RESOLUTION to recognize and congratulate Lauren Elise Smith on the occasion of her graduation from high school.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to
academic excellence, have distinguished themselves both in and out of the classroom; and WHEREAS, Lauren Elise Smith is one such exceptional individual, who is soon to be a
2024 graduate of Central High School in Knoxville; and WHEREAS, a native of Knoxville, Lauren Smith was born on April 12, 2006, to former State Representative Eddie Smith and Lanna Keck-Smith; she is the elder sister of Trenton Smith; and WHEREAS, Ms. Smith is a creative, compassionate, and caring young woman who has displayed unparalleled adaptation and selflessness throughout every circumstance in her life;
and WHEREAS, at the age of eight, Lauren Smith and her brother wholeheartedly supported their father in his bid for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives, knowing he would have the opportunity to help the people of the great State of Tennessee; and WHEREAS, volunteering her time to work the phone bank and knock on doors was fun and exciting to her, and even when she was not received kindly by opposition, she still maintained resilience and joy; and WHEREAS, while balancing her own heart and mind, eight-year-old Lauren always made room to be the best daughter and big sister she could by emotionally and mentally HJR1462
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supporting her younger brother through the special moments they shared when he was four years old; and WHEREAS, Lauren Smith has always been mature beyond her years, and she realized the gravity of the special call to be the daughter of a public servant at a young age, fully knowing there would be countless sacrifices of time, energy, physical exertion, emotional longing, and spiritual strengthening that she and her brother were willing to make as her father answered the assignment to empty his heart out for his constituents and other Tennesseans; and WHEREAS, Ms. Smith's heart for helping those in need was marked and influenced by
this remarkably arduous and exciting time in her life; and WHEREAS, she has faced many adversities in her life that have become blessings in
the storm, including overcoming a near fatal illness as an infant at birth, health afflictions, and bullying, which God has used to shape her into the young woman she is today; she has used these adversities and afflictions to help others have courage and hope as they face issues in
their own lives; and WHEREAS, in elementary school, during a hard season of classroom bullying, Lauren Smith dedicated a scripture from God's word over her life: Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." She has used this verse as her source of wisdom and strength as well as sharing it with others; and WHEREAS, Ms. Smith is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, and she has shared his love through various platforms for service in her lifetime; she is a Teen Board of Knoxville member and has volunteered for different causes, but one cause very close to her heart is Childhelp of
Tennessee, for which she has volunteered over 200 hours in the last two years, working at
University of Tennessee football games in Childhelp concessions; and WHEREAS, through her participation in Childhelp of Tennessee, she has helped raise nearly $100,000 for the organization, money that is used for assisting children of neglect and
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abuse, growing the organization, and adding new therapists to help children who need to work through some of life's most cruel matters; and WHEREAS, Lauren Smith was crowned 2022 Miss Junior Teen World and enjoyed using her crown to encourage and get to know others in her life; and WHEREAS, an original founder of the High School Republican Club of Knoxville, Ms.
Smith stands firm for conservative values with her peers; and WHEREAS, Lauren Smith was accepted into the high school clinical program at Central High School, a program that prepares young women and men for the medical field; she is
currently certified in basic life support and CPR and is a member of Health Occupations Students of America; and WHEREAS, her display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success as a student at Trevecca Nazarene University, where she will pursue a career as
a physician assistant; and WHEREAS, Lauren Smith is an active member of Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church and the church's college ministry, and she serves on a monthly rotation in the children's ministry;
and WHEREAS, her noteworthy achievements are a tremendous source of pride for her family, her school, and her community; and WHEREAS, Lauren Smith's dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of our respect,
admiration, and commendation; 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 recognize and congratulate Lauren Elise Smith upon her graduation from Central High School and wish her much continued success and happiness in her future endeavors.
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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.
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