Yager Receives Prestigious Award From Tennessee Community Organizations

Nashville, TN (2011-10-20) State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) has received the “Legislator of the Year” award from the Tennessee Community Organizations (TNCO). The honor was awarded to Yager yesterday at the organization’s annual ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel in Murfreesboro.

“This is a very hard earned and well deserved award,” said Mike McElhinney, a board member for the group, who is the Director of the Michael Dunn Center in Kingston, Tennessee. “Even as a candidate, Ken Yager showed a keen interest in seeing that people with disabilities in the state of Tennessee received the services they needed. And since his election, Senator Yager has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to these citizens of the state.”

TNCO is a statewide trade association for community organizations that provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Tennessee. Its member organizations provide a full array of services such as residential, day and supported employment, to approximately 8,000 Tennesseans with disabilities. TNCO agencies in Senator Yager’s district that serve people with disabilities include not only the Michael Dunn Center but Scott Appalachia Industries in Scott County, Rhea of Sunshine in Rhea County, Community Health of East Tennessee in Campbell County, Independent Opportunities in Fentress County, and Emory Valley Center’s branch in Morgan County.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Senator Yager, who is Chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee. “One of my legislative priorities is to be an advocate for my constituents who are intellectually or developmentally disabled, as well as their families and non profit agencies who are providing support. These citizens often are not able to speak for themselves and I am honored to be one of their voices in Nashville,” he concluded.