{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398128", "Tennessee Members of Congress Applaud Passage of H.R. 6135", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Marsha Blackburn", "B001243", "blackburn.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON- U.S. Representatives Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Diane Black (R-TN), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Phil Roe (R-TN) and U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) Applaud Passage of H.R. 6135 \u2013 To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the \u201cFred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse\u201d\r\n            Congressman Blackburn said: \u201cFrom the start of his career in Sen. Howard Baker\u2019s office, Fred Thompson was dedicated to first principles and conservative values. Thompson went to school in Lawrence County and his contributions were appreciated and respected by all Tennesseans. Passing legislation to name the federal courthouse in Nashville after him is a great way to show our respect for his commitment to the people of Tennessee. Senator Alexander filed the companion legislation in the Senate and my colleagues and I look forward to its passage there.\u201d\r\n            Congressman Black said: \u201cFred Thompson was a statesman who led with conviction, and he was a visionary who helped turn our state into the conservative success story that it is today. Tennessee shines brighter because of Fred Thompson\u2019s service. This courthouse will serve as a worthy tribute to his enduring legacy.\u201d\r\n            Congressman Cohen said: \u201cIt is an honor to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill to honor my friend Fred Thompson. Fred served the United States Senate and the state of Tennessee with distinction for 8 years. He was a proud graduate of the University of Memphis and the only U of M grad to ever serve in the Senate. I was present when the National Conference of State Legislatures awarded him the Restoring the Balance Award for his dedication to federalism. For Fred, it was not a political or campaign issue, it was his philosophy. Despite our different political parties, Fred was always encouraging to me and I valued our friendship. He led an eclectic life from his time as an outstanding congressional staffer during the Watergate hearings and as a fine attorney, actor, and public servant. It is most appropriate that we name the federal courthouse in Nashville after this great American.\u201d\r\n            Congressman Fincher said: \u201cI am proud to recognize Fred Thompson as a great public servant and great Tennessean. As a prominent figure, he never strayed from his small-town Tennessee values and always conducted himself with integrity. This federal courthouse will serve as a testament to his lifetime pursuit of justice and as an inspiration for those who walk in his footsteps.\u201d\r\n            Congressman Fleischmann said: \u201cSenator Thompson had incredible career as a U.S. attorney, columnist, actor, and legislator. Most importantly, however, he was a proud Tennessean and I\u2019m pleased that a Federal Courthouse will soon bear his name.\u201d\r\n            Congressman Roe said: \u201cSenator Thompson rose from humble beginnings to national prominence through hard work and perseverance. Fred dedicated much of his life to serving the state of Tennessee and this great country, and I am proud to join the Tennessee delegation to honor the memory of a great man I was lucky to call a friend.\u201d\r\n            Senator Alexander said:\u201cI am pleased the House voted to name the new Nashville federal courthouse in honor of Fred Thompson whose career as an attorney, Senate investigator, actor and United States Senator made him one of Tennessee\u2019s most celebrated public figures. I look forward to the Senate taking up this legislation and passing it before the end of the year.\u201d  \r\n            \r\n            Senator Corker said:\u201cFred Thompson served the people of Tennessee and our country with great distinction.Through his many different roles in public life, Fred never forgot where he came from, and our state and country miss his common sense approach to public service. I was proud to call him a friend and am pleased to join my colleagues to honor his life in this way.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398128"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.364954048767686, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}