Newsletter | Tennessee State Lodge

A message from President Johnny Crumby

While in Washington, D.C. for Day on the Hill, I made a side trip to the Police Memorial Wall to pay my respects to my brothers and sisters that have been killed in the line of duty. This has been my tradition every year and I feel it is my obligation to never forget these individuals. I am always saddened that more names have been added since my last visit.

The State of Tennessee will add six names to the State Wall located in Legislative Plaza to honor those individuals on May 16, 2012 at 10 a.m.

There are many other officers that I would like to thank and I am thankful their names are not on either of those walls… these are the officers that have been injured in the line of duty and struggle daily with their disabilities.

Never had it been more important to stay safe and vigilante of your safety.

As your President I want to simply say Thank you!

Johnny

Day on the Hill 2012

by Scottie Delashmit, 2nd Vice President

Tennessee was well represented in Washington, DC, earlier this month at the Fraternal Order of Police’s annual Day on the Hill. President Johnny Crumby, Legislative Chairman Jimmy Gafford, Sergeant at Arms David Cowan, and I were the state executive board members that walked the halls of Congress for our membership. We were joined by Toby Hewitt, Justin Kilgore, and Craig Joel, all of Rock City Lodge 22 in Chattanooga.

On day one, we met other brothers and sisters at the DC Lodge 1 for a briefing from President Canterbury and the National Legislative Office. One thing that resonated throughout the hall was when President Canterbury reminded us that we need to check the voting history of the elected official before we endorse him or her. He stated that various lodges have to endorse candidates whose voting records were not police friendly, and in some cases, very detrimental to law enforcement. President Canterbury said that everyone needs to find out what the candidate stands for before we endorse them.

The Tennessee delegation had meetings with seven of our Congressmen and both of our Senators. In some cases we met with staffers due to voting on the floor and some schedule conflicts. We were unable to meet with Congressman John Duncan, Jr., due to his busy schedule. Congressman Scott DeJarlais’ office did not get back with Daylene in our state office to schedule a meeting with our delegation. President Crumby did go to the office and left his business card requesting them to have the Congressman call him to discuss our concerns with him. As of the writing of this letter, no one from that office has contacted President Crumby. If he is your congressman, please send his office an email in favor of the FOP supported legislation. If you are not up on the current legislative actions, please look on the Grand Lodge’s webpage under the legislative tab to get the latest information.

If you are a Facebook user, you can type in “Fraternal Order of Police National Legislative Office” in your Facebook search box and it will show their page. You can then friend request the office. The office staff will research your name to determine if you are an FOP member. Only FOP members will be granted access to this group. It is yet another way for the members to keep up with the National Legislative Office.

While meeting with our elected officials and their staff, we heard the same song, different verse from everyone. Everyone agreed that this was a hard year to get any Bill passed in either the house or the senate. The Democrats claimed they could not get support from the Republicans and the Republicans had the same to say about the Democrats. The resounding theme of the day was, “We will look into that bill and consider supporting your cause.” I think that we heard that at least once in every office we visited. Even though it appears to be a stagnated term with many bills doomed to be stalled in committees, thus destined for a slow death, all of the offices stated how important it was to hear from us in person on what issues we felt are important.

We are considered in Washington, DC, as the voice of the rank and file law enforcement officer. Almost every office said that they know we are the voice of law enforcement. We may not be able to pass every Bill we support, but be assured that our elected officials know what we support and what we oppose. It is important that we, along with the rest of the FOP across the nation, continue to tell our Congressmen and Senators how we feel. The elected officials are chosen to serve the people they represent. It is our duty to let them know what law enforcement feels is important to support law enforcement. If you want to help make a difference, let your elected officials know where you stand on the issues. Follow the issues and remember how they voted when it comes time for endorsements and voting.

In closing, I will leave you with the last thing President Canterbury said in our group meeting, “People we have got to stop blindly supporting those in office that oppose what we stand for.” “Get involved and let them know how we feel.”

More news from President Crumby

As of this newsletter we have sold 60 Associate Member License Plates and are currently working with State Representative Bill Sanderson to increase the amount of money the TN FOP Foundation receives from the purchase of each plate.

I would like to thank those lodges that have actively informed their Associate Members of this program and the Associate Members that have made the decision to display a FOP AM license plate. Those lodges are: #2, #4, #5, #21, #26, #35, #37, #38, #65, #83 and #94.

The revenues we receive from this program help fund educational oppor-tunities, the death benefit and the Memorial Service.

Please help us with this project!

TENNESSEE STATE FOP

Coming Next Issue…

A message from Duane Phillips National Trustee

State Conference Update

Constitution & By-Laws

Proposed changes to the Constitution & By-Laws must be received at the State Lodge in the proper format by Monday, April 2, 2012, in order for their con-sideration at conference.

Credentials

Daylene has began mailing Conference credentials this past week. Please complete your credentials upon their arrival and return them to the State Lodge.

Hotel Information

Hotel reservations for the Music City Sheraton can be made by calling the Star Group Link at 888-627-7060 (mention you are with the FOP) or on line at www.starwoodmeeting.com/book/FOP2012. Deadline is May1, 2012.

If you know of a member currently not receiving the TN State FOP Newsletter please have them call Daylene to be added to the distribution list.

Event Packets

Event packet purchases must be sent to Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 5 at 440 Welshwood Drive—Nashville, TN 37211 by May 1, 2012. For more information call Jeannine Hale at 615-831-2464.

TENNESSEE STATE FOP

Important Dates

April 2—Proposed changes to the State Constitution & By-Law changes must be at the State Lodge

May 1—Last Half 2012 Per Capita Due

May 1—Hotel Deadline for State Conference

May 1—Event Packet Deadline for State Conference

May 15 — National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day

May 16—TN State FOP Memorial Service—Legislative Plaza @ 10 am

May 31– TN State FOP Conference Registration Begins

June 1-3 —State Conference

June 3—Election & Installation of State Officers

Chaplain’s Corner

We ask each of you to please keep the families and following members of our Law Enforcement family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through a difficult time of their lives:

State Trooper Lowell Russell (TN036) following the accident last week on I-40 in Knoxville where his cruiser was struck and burst into flames. He is in critical condition.

Family of Dustin Maynard (TN005) following his recent death in a tragic motorcycle wreck last week.

Family of Randy Casteel (TN005) following his death in a recent home accident.

Families across the United States effected by the tornados that ripped across our country in March.

Please let the State Lodge know if your Lodge has an event to post on the Important Dates Calendar.

If you know of a member that is sick, has been in an accident or passes away between newsletters please notify the State Lodge so their name can be included in the next issue.