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HJR 177

General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell in honor of Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

A non-binding Tennessee resolution urges naming the Blue Springs Boat Ramp after Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater, recognizing his service and ties to the site.

Received from House, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., & Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Summary · HJR 177

Summary of HJR 177 (2025)

Purpose and intent

  • HJR 177 is a House Joint Resolution that urges the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell (Norris Lake) in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater.
  • The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s intent to recognize Prater’s military service and personal connection to the site where he enjoyed fishing.

Key provisions

  • The resolution states a declarative intent for the Blue Springs Boat Ramp to be named in honor of Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater.
  • It does not mandate action by any specific state department, agency, or subdivision; rather, it urges naming and memorial recognition.
  • The document is a symbolic, non-binding expression of legislative sentiment (a “statement of intent” or position).

Background on the honoree

  • Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater (August 13, 1981 – March 15, 2007) served in the U.S. Army and was killed in Iraq.
  • He was awarded the Silver Star (for conspicuous gallantry) and the Purple Heart.
  • Prater is described as having a love of fishing; he cherished the Blue Springs Boat Ramp at Norris Lake.
  • He is remembered for heroism in combat, including a 2004 action in Baghdad in which he shielded a fellow soldier from a grenade.
  • The resolution notes Prater’s ties to Claiborne County, Tennessee, and references attendance at a memorial service attended by family and military personnel.

Scope and locality

  • Location: Blue Springs Boat Ramp, Norris Lake, Speedwell in Claiborne County, Tennessee.
  • Relevance: The site holds personal significance to Prater and his family, and the resolution links the proposed naming to his memory and legacy.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Fiscal Note: Not Significant.
  • The fiscal note states there is no anticipated fiscal impact to state or local government because the resolution merely urges action and does not direct a specific department to undertake a project.
  • The resolution is non-binding and does not authorize funding or procedural changes.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: March 10, 2025.
  • Current status: Received from the House, referred to the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.
  • Legislative actions timeline highlights:
    • February–March 2025: Multiple committee placements and readings in the House, sponsor additions, and passage in the House (e.g., engrossed and ready for transmission to the Senate).
    • March 2025: Engrossed, referred to Senate committee; first-time readings and scheduling occurred.
  • Related bill: Companion measure SJR 55 exists in the Senate.

Who would be affected

  • Primarily a symbolic designation; no new obligations, duties, or funding are imposed on agencies.
  • The resolution could influence naming decisions by state or local authorities responsible for renaming or dedicating public facilities, though it does not compel action.

Summary takeaway

HJR 177 is a non-binding joint resolution that publicly urges the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell after Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater, recognizing his service and connection to the site. It entails no mandatory actions or fiscal impact and moves through the standard committee process as part of Tennessee’s state-level expressions of intent.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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