Tennessee U.S. Rep. Mark Green and Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz Speak at 917 Society Constitution Celebration at Mar-a-Lago

PALM BEACH, Florida – U.S. Representatives Mark Green (R-TN-07) was the featured speaker and Matt Gaetz (R-FL-1) was the special guest speaker at the 917 Society’s constitution celebration held at the Mar-a-Lago Club on Saturday evening.

Both congressmen were greeted with enthusiastic standing ovations on their introductions to about 200 supporters of the 917 Society, about double the number of attendees in 2022, who gathered in the club’s grand ballroom for a gourmet dinner that followed a cocktail hour held poolside.

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National Tribute to Law Enforcement Virtual Event Will Celebrate and Honor Police

Next Saturday, Be The People Project is hosting “National Tribute to Law Enforcement,” a virtual event to celebrate and honor police officers.

Civil rights activist Robert L. Woodson Sr. will serve as the keynote speaker. The event will also feature speeches from active and retired law enforcement professionals Kenneth Harms, James Smallwood, Lt. Randy Sutton, and Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty.

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Joni Bryan of 917 Society Says Group Will Distribute Free Constitutions to Eighth Graders Nationwide, with Help from Dr. Ming Wang and Lee Beaman

In a discussion Wednesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Leahy spoke to in-studio guest Joni Bryan who is the executive director of 917 Society. The 501-C3 non-profit organization has recently partnered with AmVets to handle distribution of Constitutions for all eighth-graders nationally in hopes to create a “rite of passage” for both the born and naturalized citizens of America.

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Lee Beaman Commentary: Faith-Based Groups Excel at Reforming Lives

Helping people escape lives of generational chaos and trauma is something we should all do as fellow humans, and people of faith take this calling to heart especially deeply. Governmental leaders have often considered adopting partnerships between public agencies and private organizations that excel at addressing social crises. Such partnerships are high on the list of priorities for both Governor Bill Lee and President Donald Trump. The power of faith in reforming lives is undeniable.

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Lee Beaman Commentary: Nashville Is Still Nashville, Despite the Changes

by Lee Beaman   There has been much criticism recently of Nashville’s meteoric growth and the changes we’ve seen as a result.  Such concerns are valid and are good reasons to take note and preserve what we most enjoy about our city and what we feel defines us.  Despite the many changes we’ve seen, Nashville is still Nashville underneath it all. The “It” City was wonderful before we got that nickname.  Nashville has been a welcoming city for many generations of residents and visitors. The French novelist Jean-Baptiste Karr is the author of the phrase, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” That is as true of Nashville today as it was when Karr first coined it in 1848.  Nashville’s identity and character that make it unique are as strong today as they have been since we can all remember. There has always been a strong business and industry backbone to our city that predates our country music footprint, as important as that has grown to be a part of Nashville today.  Our pillars of industry, which have long been considered to be insurance, banking and publishing, are still strong here today and are joined by additional…

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Lee Beaman Commentary: Green Space Is Vital to a City’s Success

by Lee Beaman   We hear often the laments of the challenges that urban growth brings. From challenges with school systems to rising prices and reduced availability of homes, Nashvillians’ concerns over our growth are valid.  But one of the aspects of urban growth is the appreciation of our green space. As our city transforms and expands its urban core, our parks, hiking trails and bike paths become an even more valuable asset. Nashville is one of the best cities for its green space in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land, a research organization that measures the accessibility and quality of public parks and green spaces across the country.  We rank in the top 100 cities for our green spaces.  Over ten percent of our entire county area is dedicated to public parks and green space.  Metro Parks and Recreation manages 184 parks and over 85 miles of greenways.  That is an impressive offering for Nashvillians.  Begun in 1901 with the creation of our first city parks department, today’s Metro Parks and Recreation department offer a wide variety of programs and activities for residents of all ages and walks of life. Over 20 years ago, my family…

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Lee Beaman Joins Carol Swain’s Campaign for Mayor of Nashville as Finance Chairman

Carol Swain runs for Nashville Mayor'

Nashville businessman Lee Beaman has agreed to serve as the finance chairman of Carol Swain’s mayoral campaign, according to the former Vanderbilt professor’s campaign. “Yesterday, Lee Beaman joined Dr. Carol M. Swain’s campaign for Mayor of Nashville as Finance Chairman,” the campaign said in a statement released on Tuesday, adding: In the two weeks since her announcement, she has received endorsements from author Eric Metaxas and radio legend Dick Bott. Additionally, the campaign has raised over $40,000 from Nashvillians and supporters across the country. There is clearly a groundswell of support for a leader that can rebuild the public’s trust and faith in the metropolitan government. Dr. Carol M. Swain is running for Mayor because she is the only candidate that can bring common sense leadership and transparency to City Hall. Dr. Swain’s “Blueprint for Nashville” lays out the policies that she will advocate for during her term as Mayor. As a political outsider, Dr. Swain is not beholden to special interests, and will fight for fairness in government. Beaman is the owner of Beaman Automotive Group and is one of the most well known auto dealers in Middle Tennessee. He serves as a member of the board at conservative…

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Lee Beaman Launches Super PAC to Raise $4 Million to Support Andy Ogles and Oppose Bob Corker in GOP Senate Primary

Tennessee Star

Middle Tennessee’s most recognized auto dealer has launched a Super PAC that intends to raise $4 million in a Super PAC for independent expenditures to support Andy Ogles and oppose Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) in the 2018 Republican U.S. Senate primary in Tennessee. “Ogles is the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch’s network. He declared his candidacy last week, and his campaign on Tuesday announced the formation of the super PAC run by Lee Beaman, a Nashville Toyota dealer,” the Associated Press reported. Super PACs can take unlimited contributions from wealthy donors, but they may not coordinate with the campaigns. Corker has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term. Two people familiar with a White House discussion between the senator and president last week told The Associated Press that Trump urged Corker to run during the meeting. Beaman said he plans to raise $4 million to support Ogles, citing his support for tighter border security, repealing former President Barack Obama’s health care law and cutting taxes and regulation. News of the hefty financial resources about to be trained on Corker spread quickly throughout the Volunteer…

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