Tennessee SJR 833: Memorials, Retirement - Lee Chase -

Bill Text

SJR0833
016244
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<BillNo> <Sponsor>

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 833
By Crowe

A RESOLUTION to recognize Lee Chase 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 service; and
WHEREAS, Lee Chase is one such estimable individual who, after serving with
distinction for more than thirty years with Dawn of Hope, Incorporated, is taking a much-
deserved retirement in December 2018; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase was born in Johnson City in 1951 to parents Hugh and Alice
Chase; he is a 1969 graduate of Jonesboro High School, where he participated in the National
Honor Society, the football team, and Student Government Association, which he served as the
student body president; and
WHEREAS, Lee Chase received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and
Speech in 1973 and his master's degree in city management studies from East Tennessee
State University (ETSU); and
WHEREAS, while attending ETSU, Mr. Chase was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha
Fraternity and a cabinet member of the Student Government Association; and
WHEREAS, at the start of his career, Lee Chase was employed by the Johnson City
Boys & Girls Club in 1977 and later the Tennessee Department of Human Services – Vocational
Rehabilitation from 1978 to 1985; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase began his long and storied career with Dawn of Hope,
Incorporated, in 1985; Dawn of Hope is a nonprofit agency that provides services to individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and

SJR0833
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WHEREAS, Lee Chase served Dawn of Hope as a vocational department administrator
from 1985 to 1986; in recognition of his abilities and leadership, he was promoted to executive
director in 1986, a position he has fulfilled with acumen and alacrity to this day; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase has been instrumental in increasing the staff and resources of
the organization; at the start of his tenure in 1985, Dawn of Hope served 125 individuals with a
staff of thirty-two and a budget of $750,000; by 2016, the organization was serving 209
individuals with a staff of 305 and a budget of $11 million; and
WHEREAS, he initiated two building expansions to the Dawn of Hope Vocational Center
as well as the acquisition and renovation of the Stratton Center from 2000 to 2002; and
WHEREAS, through the Dawn of Hope Foundation, Lee Chase developed a number of
charitable endeavors, including the Dawn of Hope Golf Classic, the Spring Luau and
Spooktacular, and an endowment fund from estate gifts to the Foundation, which currently holds
$500,000; and
WHEREAS, always a civic-minded individual, Mr. Chase served as a member and vice
chair of the Washington County Commission, which he also served as the chair of the
Education Committee, Committee on Committees, and the Rules Committee; and
WHEREAS, he served on the board of directors for the Johnson City Development
Authority and the board of directors of the Tennessee County Commissioner Association, which
included service as the chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and the By-laws
Committee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase also served as a board member of the Tennessee Community
Organizations from 1989 to 1993 and again from 1994 to 2018; during his tenures, he served as
president in 1993 and 2005 and was named Executive Director of the Year in 1994 and 1999;
and
WHEREAS, he was appointed to the Title 33 Revision Committee by Governor Don
Sundquist in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase has served on the Developmental Disabilities Policy Planning
Council since 2015 and various other Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
committees and workgroups; and

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WHEREAS, Lee Chase is an active and important part of his community and his
profession, participating in numerous worthy organizations, including Johnson City Kiwanis,
which he served as president of the board of directors; Central Baptist Church, which he served
as chair of the board of directors; Eastern 8 Community Development Corporation, which he
served on the board of directors and presently serves as vice chair; Johnson City Washington
County Boys & Girls Club, which he serves on the board of directors; and the Johnson City
Public Library, which he served on the board of directors; and
WHEREAS, his many accomplishments aside, Lee Chase is most grateful for the love
and support he shares with his wife, Susan Bradley Chase; together, they have two children,
Bradley Paul Chase and Ashley Briana Chase; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chase exemplifies the spirit and allegiance to family and community
that are characteristic of a true Tennessean; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Lee Chase has demonstrated the utmost
professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his
colleagues; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL
ASSEMB