Personal Information
- Wife, Nancy, sons John, Rick and Ben
- Sixth-generation Tennessean
- Graduate, University of Tennessee, 1975, and Vanderbilt University (M.Div. and J.D.), 1980; Rotary Scholar in Scotland at University of St. Andrews, 1975-76
- Attorney and businessman
- Professional Speaker and Educator
- Former United Methodist minister
- Author of Things Held Dear: Soul Stories for My Sons (1999), Tennessee Political Humor: Some of These Jokes You Voted For (2000, with L. H. "Cotton" Ivy), and How Can a Christian Be in Politics? (2005)
Community Involvement
- UT and Vanderbilt Alumni Associations
- Habitat for Humanity
- Rotary International
- March of Dimes
- Boy Scouts of America
- Tennessee Bar Association and Foundation
- Ducks Unlimited
- Brian Brown Bohunker Triathlon & Marathon Club
- Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- County Foundation of Greater Memphis
- Ned McWherter Center for Rural Development
- Chambers of Commerce
Service in Public Office
- Senate member of the 100th through 107th General Assemblies
- Member, Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Member, Senate Energy and Environment Committee
- House member of the 95th through 99th General Assemblies
- First elected in 1986 to fill Governor Ned McWherter's House seat
- 100% attendance record except day youngest son was born
- Conducted well over 900 listening meetings
Legislation Sponsored
- Crime Victims Bill of Rights
- Student Religious Liberty Act
- Lobbying Ethics Act
- Whistleblower Law
- Child Protection Reforms
- Fair Business Protections
- Health Care Reforms
- Anti-Crime Reforms
- Predatory Lending Reform
- Healthy Students Act