HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 656
By Grills
A RESOLUTION to recognize Parks Tigrett Wells on the occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor those citizens who have performed with uncommon devotion and enthusiasm throughout their years of public service; and WHEREAS, Parks Tigrett Wells is one such estimable person, who, after thirty-one years of service to the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, will take his much-deserved retirement; and WHEREAS, Parks Wells was raised on his family's farm in Newbern, where his grandfather, Hamilton Parks Tigrett, was considered a trailblazer in modern agriculture; and WHEREAS, Mr. Wells received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1972, and he later served his nation as a member of the United States Army; and WHEREAS, following his military career, Parks Wells maintained his family's rich agricultural legacy while also beginning a career as a commodity futures broker and stock options trader; additionally, he was a cash grain buyer and served the farmers of West Tennessee; and WHEREAS, following the inception of the National Soybean Checkoff in 1991, Mr. Wells was hired as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, in which position he managed promotion and research programs on behalf of Tennessee soybean farmers; and HJR0656
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WHEREAS, in this position, Mr. Wells was instrumental in creating the National Biodiesel Board, facilitating advancements in sustainable, soybean-based biofuels, which are considered critical to meeting national and international clean energy demands; and WHEREAS, he also worked on building the Tennessee Soybean Association policy development and advocacy area, forming relationships with local and state elected officials,
among other leaders, and allowing the policy to flourish; and WHEREAS, Mr. Wells was a fundamental part of designing the Tennessee Soybean Festival, a celebration of agriculture, soybean farmers, and soybean products, with thousands of
attendees; and WHEREAS, no stranger to awards and accolades, Parks Wells received the 2023
American Soybean Association Distinguished Leadership Award, an honor recognizing national leaders with a superior level of dedication to meeting goals and achieving success benefitting soybean farmers; and WHEREAS, with a plethora of knowledge regarding soybean production, marketing,
research, and policy, Mr. Wells has consistently led and guided the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council leaders and board members for more than three decades; and WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, Parks Wells has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues and community alike; 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 extend to Parks Tigrett Wells our heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in his future endeavors.
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
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the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear without House or Senate designation.
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