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House of RepresentativesState of Tennessee

Contact: Kara Watkins (615) 741-1975kara.watkins@capitol.tn.govFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Representative Beth Harwell electedHouse Republican nominee for Speaker

(November 18, 2010, NASHVILLE) State Representative Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) waselected today by her colleagues in the House Republican Caucus as the caucus nominee forHouse Speaker for the 107 th General Assembly. Harwell was chosen as the group met togetherin Nashville to prepare for the 2011-2012 legislative session. Representative Glen Casada (R-Franklin) was also seeking the nomination.

I am humbled and honored that my colleagues have placed their confidence in me to lead theState House of Representatives in the 107 th General Assembly. Although we face challenges as astate, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and Governor-elect Haslam, said Representative Harwell . I also want to thank Glen Casada for hissteadfast commitment to our caucus and his hard work as Caucus Chairman the last four years,and I know he will continue to serve the caucus well.

The remaining positions for House Republican Caucus leadership will be filled at a caucusmeeting on December 8 th . At that time, members will select their Speaker Pro Tempore, HouseMajority Leader, Republican Caucus Chairman, Assistant Leader, Caucus Vice Chairman, Whip,Floor Leader, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Floor Leader.

I want to congratulate Beth for all she has accomplished for the Republican Party in this state.I wish her the very best, and now it is time to unite behind her as our nominee for HouseSpeaker, said Representative Glen Casada.

The legislative session is scheduled to begin at high noon on Tuesday, January 11 th .

BIO for Representative Beth Harwell

During her legislative tenure, Representative Beth Harwell has been a strong advocate fortougher laws against rapists, victims rights legislation, welfare reform and childrens issues.She served as Chairman for the powerful House Commerce Committee in the 106 th GeneralAssembly.

Among the many laws that Beth has sponsored in the Tennessee Legislature are: Families First

which enacted Tennessees new welfare reform program and the Childrens Act for CleanIndoor Air to keep children safe from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. On crimeissues, she has sponsored and passed legislation clarifying and toughening penalties againststalkers, requiring more time behind bars for rapists, strengthening Tennessees laws for rapeof a child, implementing safety for children in child care centers, building crime preventioncooperation among the states, and ensuring those drugged while driving can be prosecutedunder Tennessees DUI laws.

She was instrumental in the push for charter schools in Tennessee and pushed to passagelegislation to direct additional funds for improvement of training for day care workers. Onhealth, Rep. Harwell won passage of legislation that greatly improved the opportunity forusage of external defibrillators to treat sudden cardiac arrest. A friend of small business, Beth

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was awarded the coveted Guardian of Small Business award from the National Federal of Independent Business (NFIB).

In addition to her legislative career Beth served as the chair of the state Republican Party from2001-2004. During that time she was instrumental in the Republicans taking control of the StateSenate, the first time in 105 years. While serving as Chair she was also a Bush Pioneer andcontributed greatly to his campaign.

Beth has been an active member of the community as a member of the Tennessee StateMuseum Foundation, Centennial Medical Center Board of Directors, the David LipscombUniversity Advisory Council, Senior Citizens Board of Directors and alumni of LeadershipNashville. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Agape, the American HeartAssociation, the Exchange Club Family Center, and Middle Tennessee Mental Health Center.

Beth received her B.A. degree from David Lipscomb University and her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt.She has been an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Belmont University. She and herhusband, Sam, have three children Allie, Bo, and Tucker.

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