Wednesday, September, 9, 1998 was proclaimed as Direct Care Staff Day in Tennessee by Governor Don Sundquist.

The special proclamation honored all staff who work directly in community and state operated programs with people who have developmental disabilities and mental illness.

Local observances were held at Tennessee's state operated facilities in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Greeneville and Bolivar.

At Clover Bottom Developmental Center, Debi Tate of the governor's office paid tribute to the 2,839 state employees who have the most significant contact with and impact on citizens with developmental disabilities and mental illness state wide.

"Tennessee has dedicated funding and policy initiatives to ensure that our citizens with developmental disabilities and mental illness enjoy the same rights as other Tennesseans," said Tate.

"But sometimes, money and policy are not enough. The greatest need is the support and direct assistance of other human beings," she concluded. The Clover Bottom ceremony was hosted by Superintendent Bernard Simons.

Also speaking were DOH Commissioner Nancy Menke, DMHMR Acting Commissioner Ben Dishman, F&A Commissioner John Ferguson, DMRS Deputy Commissioner Tom Sullivan and Melanie Hampton, assistant commissioner for Mental Health Services.

Superintendents Joe Carobene of Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute and Dr. James Armstrong from Arlington Developmental Center also participated in the activities.

Sundquist Appoints Commission To Rewrite State MH/MR Law

A 10 person commission, appointed by Governor Don Sundquist in July, is busy at work coming up with suggestions for changing Tennessee's legislation governing the delivery of services to persons with mental illness and/or mental retardation.

The final work will be presented to the state legislature for review. The completion of the proposal is expected in about 18 months.

The commission includes:

• George Spain, Columbia, chief executive officer of Centerstone Mental Health Center, Inc.
• Elise McMillan, Nashville, director of development for the John F. Kennedy Center and senior vice president of the Arc of Tennessee. She is the mother of a child with Down syndrome.
• Carol Westlake, Nashville, executive director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition.

• Gaylon Booker, Memphis, senior vice president of the National Cotton Council and parent of a son with disabilities.
• Lee Chase, executive director of a regional rehabilitation center in Johnson City.
• Carolyn Cowans, Memphis, president of Arlington Developmental Center Parents.
• Andy Fox, former executive director of the Southeast Mental Health Center in Memphis.
• Ann Ince, Knoxville, a member of the National Mental Health Association board.
• Harold North, Chattanooga, an attorney and presidentÐelect of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chattanooga.
• June Palmer, Dyersburg, president of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Tennessee.