THE TENNESSEAN OF THE YEAR: AL GORE
Former Vice-President and native son Al Gore has received loads of accolades, and as Tennessean writer Anne Paine notes, heavy skepticism from "raucous critics." All things considered, the Tennessee Democrat has raised global awareness about climate change and participated in debate on the subject with candor and class.
Among the achievements from just this past year, Gore was named co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, an Oscar for the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, and an Emmy for his television network Current TV. He also wrote the book The Assault on Reason in 2007.
GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN NAMED POLICY CHAIR
The Democratic Governor's Association named Tennessee's Governor Phil Bredesen policy chair for his innovation and success in the areas of healthcare and business-friendly policy positions.
In addition to helping to shape the way Democratic Governors approach healthcare and business issues, the common sense which led Governor Bredesen to win all 95 Tennessee counties in 2006 should help more states adopt positions which could improve the lives of individuals and families across the country.
