Accomplishments

2005-Present: Senate Democratic Leader

2009-Present: Shelby County Legislative Delegation Chair

2008 Legislator of the Year, Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association

1999 President’s Award, Tennessee Council of Teachers of English

1996 Legislator of the Year, Domestic Violence Task Force

1992 Legislator of the Year, County Officials Association of Tennessee and Tennessee District Attorney Generals Conference

1991 Legislator of the Year of Shelby County Deputy Sheriffs Association

1987-1988: Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman

1985 Recipient of the Henry Toll Fellowship of the Council of State Governments

Member of the Memphis Bar Association

Chairman of the Shelby County Delegation

1994-1998 Board of Governors of American Correctional Association

Tau Kappa Epsilon Social Fraternity

Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity