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Senator Barnes named to Prestigious Political Leaders Program

One of 50 state lawmakers chosen nationwide for University of Virginia course

State Senator Tim Barnes
State Senator Tim Barnes

Nashville, TN – State Senator Tim Barnes (D-Adams) is one of 50 state lawmakers from across the country to be named to the 2010 Program for Emerging Political Leaders, sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

“This selection is one of the greatest honors a new lawmaker can earn, and I’m incredibly grateful for and humbled by the opportunity,” Barnes said. “This program will help me better serve residents in the district I represent.”

The prestigious program is held annually on the campus of the University of Virginia for a select group of state legislators who have been nominated by their Speaker of the House, President of the Senate or Minority Leader. Leaders are asked to nominate one or more members who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, intelligence, vision and common sense.

“Tim Barnes quickly has made a name for himself as a smart, common-sense lawmaker who works with both sides of the aisle to get things done,” said House Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry (D-Memphis), who nominated Barnes for the program. “It speaks volumes of him to hear colleagues from both parties give such high praise to a first-term senator.”

Barnes, who was elected to the State Senate in 2008, was chosen from a highly competitive pool of more than 180 nominees nationwide. In his first term, Barnes has already passed major legislation to ban sex offenders from events on school grounds, make adoption easier in Tennessee and protect farmers from unfair taxation.

Barnes will attend the July 12th-15th program at no cost to Tennessee taxpayers. The course will examine ethical leadership, the art of compromise and coalition building, and the philosophical underpinnings of representative democracy.

“These legislators represent the best and the brightest, and are destined for future leadership roles in their state,” said Stephen G. Lakis, President of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. “After being with these people for several days, you can’t help but feel proud and more confident about our unique system of representative democracy. They are just that good!”

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