Tennessee HJR 1005: Memorials, Retirement - David Whitson "Whit" Adamson -

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1005
By Shaw

A RESOLUTION to recognize David Whitson "Whit" Adamson on
the occasion of his retirement as president of the
Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor
those citizens who have served Tennessee's broadcasting industry with the greatest acumen,
commitment, and proficiency; and
WHEREAS, David Whitson "Whit" Adamson is taking a much-deserved retirement after
thirty-three years of outstanding service as president of the Tennessee Association of
Broadcasters (TAB); and
WHEREAS, Mr. Adamson began his illustrious tenure with TAB in July 1987, and since
that time, he has served the broadcasting industry with distinction in myriad ways; and
WHEREAS, he has worked closely with boards of directors and station owners and
managers; served as an advocate for the industry at both the state and federal levels of
government; conferred with lobbyists, attorneys, engineers, trainers, schools and universities,
the Federal Communications Commission, law enforcement, and emergency managers; and
participated in every aspect of state and national association affairs; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Adamson has served as president of the National Alliance of State
Broadcasters Associations, testified before a Congressional committee about the Nashville flood
of 2010, and helped navigate the industry through the digital television transition and the
implementation and administration of the statewide child abduction AMBER alert system and
the statewide emergency alert system; and

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WHEREAS, a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2017, he has been honored
with the Nashville Advertising Federation's Silver Medal and TAB's Distinguished Service
Award, the organization's highest honor; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining TAB, Mr. Adamson worked for Nashville's WSMV television
station for fifteen years; beginning his tenure there with the advertising and sales department in
1973, he was eventually promoted to regional manager; and
WHEREAS, earlier in his life, he had learned to fly shortly after matriculating at Middle
Tennessee State University (MTSU); by earning his pilot's license, he was following a family
tradition, as his mother had learned to fly at the same school during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Adamson interrupted his education in October 1967, when he joined the
United States Marine Corps; he served seven months on active duty and six years in the
Reserve as an air traffic controller and military police officer, attaining the rank of E5 and
earning his restricted radiotelephone operator license; and
WHEREAS, after completing his military service, he returned to MTSU, where he
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance with minors in English and
Aviation and was a founding member of Pi Kappa Alpha, and Mid-State Flight School, where he
qualified for a commercial and instructor license and earned a multi-engine and instrument
rating from the Federal Aviation Administration; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from college, Mr. Adamson held several jobs in aviation
before transferring his talents to the broadcasting industry; he worked for Gasser Banners
towing aerial advertising and selling Bellanca aircraft; flew a Beechcraft Kingair for the Piggly
Wiggly grocery chain; and sold aircraft for Southeastern Beechcraft, in addition to flying
helicopters and short-take-off-and-landing aircraft; and
WHEREAS, a native Tennessean, David Whitson Adamson is the son of David
Adamson and Flora (Eskew) Adamson and the brother of Robert Victor "Vic" Adamson; and
WHEREAS, his many professional accomplishments aside, he is most grateful for the
love and companionship he shares with his wife, Janet (Patterson) Adamson; children, Neal

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Weston Adamson, Mary Katherine "Molly" (Adamson) Bertram and Ryan Bertram, and Lillian
Lee Adamson; and grandchildren, George Nolan Bertram and Kaitlyn Bertram; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Whit Adamson has demonstrated the
utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity as an icon in the broadcasting industry, winning the
unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues, the members of this General Assembly, and
a grateful public as well; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we extend to David Whitson "Whit" Adamson our heartfelt wishes for a
happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in his future endeavors, as we pay
tribute to his exemplary tenure as president of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.
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
withou