Norris Elected to National Post

August 2, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- State Senator Mark Norris, (R-Collierville), has been elected 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 facilitating passage of important state and federal legislation that our states need,” Norris said.

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

“I am honored to serve. This will facilitate our 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.”

As an SLC chairperson, Norris will also serve on the SLC Executive Committee alongside fellow Tennessee legislators Sen. Douglas Henry, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and Lt. Governor John Wilder.

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