Additional Endorsements for Bill Purcell

Candidate for
Mayor

MAYORAL CANDIDATE BILL PURCELL GAINS ENDORSEMENT OF
JEFFERSON ST. MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 3, 1999) -- Mayoral candidate Bill Purcell received a major endorsement Sunday from one of North Nashville's leading pastors. Rev. James Thomas of Jefferson St. Missionary Baptist Church endorsed Purcell before the members of his congregation, saying, "I see this man not only as mayor, but as a two-term mayor of this city."

Purcell attended an afternoon service commemorating the church's 112th anniversary as the guest of Rev. Thomas, who called upon Purcell to address the more than 300 members of the congregation gathered for the celebration. "I don't stick my neck out unless I think I'm going to win," Rev. Thomas joked to his congregation, which responded with enthusiastic applause to Purcell's brief address.

"Where there is no vision, the people will perish," Purcell said, quoting the book of Proverbs. "I have no fear but am filled with great hope for the future of this city," he said, "because there is great vision within this church, great vision within this community, and great vision within this clergy."

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BILL PURCELL QUALIFIES FOR MAYORAL RACE,
RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF NASHVILLE TEACHERS

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 6, 1999) -- Bill Purcell kicked off his mayoral campaign today by picking up the key endorsement of Nashville teachers.

Purcell received one of the first major endorsements in the mayoral race by picking up the support of the group representing more than 5,000 of Nashville's teachers.

"To have the support of a group as important as classroom teachers is not just politically significant but a personal honor as well," Purcell said. "And as mayor, it will be my goal to make sure all of the schools in the city are good schools where our children are safe."

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BILL PURCELL RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 26, 1999) -- Mayoral candidate Bill Purcell received the endorsement today of 12 African American legislators with whom he worked during his tenure as a member of the General Assembly and in his position as House Majority Leader.

Nashville's State Representatives Edith Taylor Langster and Mary Pruitt joined 10 of their legislative colleagues from across the state in expressing their confidence in Purcell. Each spoke in turn, giving their own personal reasons for endorsing Purcell in the mayoral race.

Rep. Mary Pruitt spoke of Purcell's knowledge and understanding of the important issues facing children and families, and of the trust and confidence she developed in him while working together in the legislature. "There was never anything, Bill, that I could not ask or talk to you about," Pruitt said. "I am so very proud to be here today and to announce my full support for Bill Purcell."

Rep. Edith Langster kept her remarks short. "I only have one thing to say and I want everyone to say it with me. Say 'Mayor Bill Purcell!' " she instructed.

Other legislators, in addition to Langster and Pruitt, who served with Purcell in the General Assembly and attended the event were Sen. Roscoe Dixon and Reps. Joe Armstrong, Kathryn Bowers, Henri Brooks, Barbara Cooper, John Deberry, Ulysses Jones, Larry Miller, and Joe Towns. Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry, who was unable to attend the event due to legislative meetings, was represented by a key member of her staff.

Rep. Ulysses Jones spoke of Purcell's character. "We came to the legislature together, and I know the type of person you are and the type of Mayor you will be. You would be good for the people of this city, and make all the difference for the city of Nashville," he said.

Rep. Henri Brooks was among Purcell's earliest supporters. "I am so glad to be here and to be able to demonstrate my support for Bill Purcell," she said. "I believe Nashville needs a person with the talents of Bill Purcell to keep the city moving forward."

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BILL PURCELL RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF TWO METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS

NASHVILLE, TENN. (June 11, 1999) -- Mayoral candidate Bill Purcell picked up the endorsement of two members of the Metro Council today.

Council Members Don Majors and Melvin Black announced their support for Purcell in the August 5th mayoral election.

The council members touted their support for Purcell's vision for the city in the years ahead. They expressed their confidence that Bill Purcell will be the mayor to focus on improving our schools, making our neighborhoods safe, and keeping our streets free of crime. Both also shared their personal reasons for endorsing Purcell, citing him as the candidate who can move Nashville into the future.

"I believe Bill's biggest asset is that he is willing to work with people and resolve issues," Majors said. "I look forward to working with him on the issues where taxpayers are touched -- like public safety and infrastructure."

Melvin Black agreed. "I believe Bill Purcell is the mayor who can lead the city in the best way for the next eight years," he said.

Black also spoke about Purcell's record with education. "This guy represents education," he remarked. "He is the candidate to educate our young people and turn this city around."

This endorsement comes as the latest in a series Purcell has received from Metro teachers, religious leaders and legislators in his campaign for mayor.

Don Majors, councilman from District 4, is a pipefitter for the Dupont Company. He serves as the chair of the Public Works Committee and as a member of the Stormwater Task Force and the Floodplain Review Committee.

Melvin Black represents District 2 in the council. He is a retired teacher and serves on the Public Works, Parks, Public Safety and Federal Grants Review Committees.

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