State Rep. Armstrong Commencement speaker

State Rep. Joe Armstrong will serve as speaker for the 2009 Commencement ceremony at Pellissippi State. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at UT’s Thompson-Boling Arena.

The College will confer approximately 800 degrees for 2009.

Armstrong, a lifelong resident of Knoxville’s 15th legislative district and an 11-term representative, is especially well known for his work in the education and health fields. Among the bills he has sponsored are several designed to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans: the HOPE Scholarship, Tennessee Pre-Kindergarten Programs, Meharry Wellness Program, Tennessee Safety Net and Long Term Care Community Choices Act.

Often quoted as saying “voting is our choice of hope,” Armstrong stresses citizen participation at all government levels, believing that involvement is a true way to improve the quality of life and help assure freedom and equality for everyone.

An active steward of his constituents and community, Armstrong is involved in numerous government, business, nonprofit and church endeavors. Among them: chairing the House Health and Human Resources Committee and the Health Equity Commission; serving on several boards, including Mercy Health Partners; being a lifetime member of the Boys and Girls Club; and serving as usher and trustee of First AME Zion Church.

Armstrong is the recipient of numerous awards, including having been named Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee Men’s Health Network, Tennessee Medical Association, Tennessee Community Organizations and National Black Caucus of State Legislators. In 2007, he was elected chair of the National Black Caucus of the State Legislators’ National Health Committee.

The speaker shares his political and community experiences with Pellissippi State graduates, their guests and school faculty and staff at the Commencement ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m.