HR2098: HR2098 Lee, Vernon; commend

26 LC 112 4248 House Resolution 2098 By: Representatives Gambill of the 15th, Meeks of the 178th, Smith of the 18th, and Scoggins of the 14th A RESOLUTION Commending Vernon Lee; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, from 1982 to 1985, Vernon Lee served as the drummer fo r the Rex Nelon2 Singers of Atlanta, Georgia, formerly the LeFevres, who were in ducted into the Gospel3 Music Association Hall of Fame; and4 WHEREAS, he was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1959, the be loved son of Ira and5 Linda Lee; and6 WHEREAS, Vernon received his first drum from his grandfather in 1969, and his mother7 bought him his first drum set a few years later; and8 WHEREAS, he did not receive formal musical training until college, when he studied music9 and business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and spent hours practicing his10 drumming skills; and11 WHEREAS, he played and made his first recording with a group in 1977 and spent three12 years with the Rex Nelon Singers, whose accolades include nomin ations for Grammy13 Awards and winning numerous Dove Awards; and14 H. R. 2098 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4248 WHEREAS, during his distinguished career, Vernon Lee performed with such groups as the15 Templemen Quartet, the Noblemen Quartet, Fay Sims and The Sceni cland Boys, The16 Impacts, The Telestials, Gold City Quartet, and the Rex Nelon Singers; and17 WHEREAS, during his time with the Rex Nelon Singers, Vernon pla yed at many venues,18 including the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Country Music19 Fan Fare, and the National Quartet Convention, and in 1984, he played at the National20 Religious Broadcasters convention in Washington, D.C., where Pr esident Ronald Reagan21 addressed the crowd—he later performed for United States Senato r and former astronaut22 John Glenn during his presidential campaign, and Vernon was part of a live recording of a23 Rex Nelon reunion album and video; and24 WHEREAS, while touring, he also sat in and played for various groups and artists, including25 the Cathedrals, the Florida Boys, Jerry Goff, Wendy Bagwell, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps,26 and others; and27 WHEREAS, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame with the28 Nelons in 2016 and is an inductee of the 2026 Tri-State Gospel Music Association Hall of29 Fame for his professional drumming career; and30 WHEREAS, he was known by other groups and fellow musicians to have the best meter in31 gospel music during his tenure and for playing "clean"; and32 WHEREAS, after leaving the group, Vernon served as the drummer at Mt. Paran Church of33 God in Atlanta, Georgia, for 16 years, and he still plays occasionally and maintains his deep34 love for music; and35 H. R. 2098 - 2 - 26 LC 112 4248 WHEREAS, he is united in love and marriage to Maggie and is blessed with two remarkable36 sons, Ira and Reed.37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that38 the members of this body commend Vernon Lee for his outstanding accomplishments and39 wish him continued success.40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized41 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to42 Vernon Lee.43 H. R. 2098 - 3 -