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HJR 1407

Memorials, Recognition - Germany and Tennessee's friendship and partnership -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Powell

Tennessee proclaims strong, ongoing ties with Germany across trade, investment, culture, and education, encouraging continued cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Received from House, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
#memorials #recognition
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Bill Summary · HJR 1407

Summary: House Joint Resolution 1407 (HJR 1407) – Tennessee and Germany Friendship

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Tennessee
  • Session: 114
  • Sponsor: Representative Powell (Co-sponsor: Jason Powell)
  • Status: Passed House; referred to Senate Calendar Committee (as of 2026-04-15)
  • Type: Memorial resolution (non-binding)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill is a memorial resolution to honor and celebrate the longstanding friendship and partnership between the State of Tennessee and the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • It seeks to recognize the economic, educational, cultural, and civic benefits derived from Tennessee-Germany relations and to encourage continued cooperation across various fields.

Key Provisions and Provisions Details

  • Statement of Purpose: Acknowledge Tennessee’s and Germany’s mutually beneficial ties in trade, investment, manufacturing, education, culture, and citizen diplomacy.
  • Economic and Corporate Ties:
    • Highlights Germany as a significant source of foreign direct investment in Tennessee.
    • Notes the role of German companies in advanced manufacturing and automotive production, as well as their contribution to jobs, wages, and state tax revenue.
    • Cites Volkswagen’s presence in Chattanooga as a prominent example of the economic relationship.
  • People-to-People and Municipal Exchanges:
    • References existing sister-city and friendship relationships, including:
    • Nashville ⇄ Magdeburg
    • Chattanooga ⇄ Hamm
    • Chattanooga ⇄ Wolfsburg
    • Franklin/Williamson County ⇄ Bad Soden am Taunus
    • Emphasizes student exchanges, professional collaboration, cultural programming, municipal cooperation, and lasting friendships.
  • Education and Workforce Development: Points to potential collaboration in workforce development, apprenticeship programs, and higher education partnerships as opportunities to strengthen economies and prepare skilled workers.
  • Diplomatic and Consular Context:
    • Acknowledges the presence of the German Consulate General in Atlanta and an Honorary Consul in Nashville.
    • Mentions the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States as a facilitator of ties.
  • Future Cooperation: Encourages continued cooperation in trade, advanced manufacturing, automotive innovation, workforce development, education, tourism, and cultural exchange.
  • Formal Recognition and Dissemination:
    • Directs that suitable copies of the resolution be prepared for presentation to German diplomatic and business partners, including:
    • Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States
    • Consul General of Germany in Atlanta
    • Honorary Consul of Germany in Nashville
    • German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States

Who/What Is Affected

  • Geopolitical Relationship: Formal acknowledgment by the Tennessee General Assembly of the Tennessee-Germany partnership.
  • Public Awareness: Public recognition of economic ties (e.g., German investment and Volkswagen’s Chattanooga presence) and cultural/educational exchanges.
  • Diplomatic Interaction: Potentiales for enhanced engagement with German diplomatic entities and business organizations.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Recent Actions:
    • Introduced and placed on House consent calendar for 4/14/2026.
    • Passed the Tennessee House with a vote of 90 Ayes, 0 Nays, 3 Present Not Voting (PNV) on 4/14/2026.
    • Received by the Senate and referred to the Senate Calendar Committee on 4/15/2026 (per action history).
  • Next Steps: If the Senate concurs, the resolution would be adopted as a formal expression of the General Assembly acknowledging the friendship and partnership with Germany. Being a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or spending but serves as symbolic recognition and a call for continued cooperation.

Impact and Significance

  • The resolution publicly reinforces Tennessee’s positive view of Germany as a key economic and cultural partner.
  • It may bolster continued German investment and collaboration in Tennessee, and support ongoing people-to-people exchanges, educational initiatives, and workforce development efforts.
  • Serves as a ceremonial bridge for ongoing dialogue with German diplomatic and business communities.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar resolutions or outline potential questions stakeholders might raise (economic impact considerations, language for future agreements, or how this memorial might influence future state initiatives).

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

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