August 4 , 2005                                    

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- (August 4, 2005) State Senator Mark Norris, (R-Collierville), has been elected Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee of the 16 state Southern Legislative Conference.

The Conference is comprised of elected officials from southern states working together on issues of regional and national importance. Norris’ committee focuses on strengthening the southern economy through interstate cooperation in the promotion of safety, capital investment, exports, biotechnology, infrastructure and logistics.

“Organizations like the Southern Legislative Conference have been instrumental in encouraging passage of important federal legislation that our states need,” said Norris. He cited recent passage of the new Transportation Equity Act which provided funding for I-69 from Kentucky through West Tennessee.

Norris, Chairman of the Tennessee Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, hopes his committee will also focus on illegal immigration, homeland security and terrorism during his term.

“I am honored to serve. This will facilitate my efforts to strengthen our economy and, at the same time, address the need to safeguard vital infrastructure upon which the success of that economy is based,” Norris said. “Throughout Tennessee and the South, one of the great challenges of the 21st Century is to identify threats to our transportation networks, minimize risk, and strengthen our communities.”

Norris represents Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Dyer Counties in the Tennessee Senate.