In the News
Tennessee lawmakers plan bipartisan tribute to Dolly Parton
PN Team • 2 months ago
Tennessee lawmakers from both parties say they intend to honor Dolly Parton during the legislative session beginning next January, though no formal plan has been agreed upon. House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary and Rep. John Ray Clemmons said leadership will consult Parton's family and friends before advancing any proposal, describing her as a unifying figure even in death.
The legislature has weighed tributes before: a 2021 bill to erect a Parton statue at the Capitol won rare bipartisan backing but was withdrawn after Parton herself asked lawmakers to hold off, citing pandemic-era timing, while suggesting she might welcome the honor "down the road." Individual lawmakers have since floated ideas, including designating September 25 as "9 to 5 Day" and renaming Nashville International Airport after Parton, a proposal from Rep. Todd Warner, who previously pushed to name the airport after President Trump. Leadership says a unified proposal is still being developed.
Parton died at age 80, prompting national tributes, including President Trump's order to lower U.S. flags to half-staff and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's matching proclamation honoring her career and philanthropy, including her Imagination Library literacy program.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Donald Trump Trump is portrayed positively for ordering flags lowered in tribute to Parton, though the mention of a past airport-naming push for himself is tangential.
- Democratic Party (United States) Democratic lawmakers are shown cooperating bipartisanly to honor Parton, a mildly positive association.
- Republican Party (United States) Republican lawmakers are shown cooperating bipartisanly to honor Parton, a mildly positive association.
- Tennessee Tennessee is portrayed positively through its legislature's bipartisan effort to honor a beloved native icon.
- Alabama Alabama is mentioned only as the governor's state issuing a tribute, a neutral factual reference.
- United States The United States is referenced via the national flag order, a neutral factual mention.
- Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is mentioned only in context of a proposed airport renaming, a neutral factual detail.