Herron Elected Chair of Children & Youth Committee

March 1-- Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) was unanimously elected to chair the Select Committee on Children & Youth yesterday.

"As a father and someone who works with young people,” Herron said, “I am painfully aware of the challenges facing us, but also very hopeful about the possibilities for helping our children become the men and women God calls them to be.”

The Select Committee on Children and Youth provides oversight for the Department of Children's Services and in the past has designed and guided legislation establishing Early Childhood Education, Healthy Start and Family Resource Center programs. This year, the committee will take up several issues related to juvenile justice.

Herron long has been active in working with young people through church, school, sports, and Scouting. His twin sons are now working to become Eagle Scouts and his youngest son is a new Boy Scout.

Senator Curtis Person, a Memphis Republican, seconded the nomination of Herron for chair.

“Roy Herron is a tenacious advocate and will be an outstanding leader of this committee,” Person said. “Children across Tennessee will benefit from his leadership.”

Senator Herron is the fifth chair of the committee since its inception in 1987, succeeding former Senator Larry Trail , Rep. Joe Fowlkes, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell and Secretary of State Riley Darnell.