District Attorney Mike Flynn's Retirement

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, for over 30 years, Mike Flynn has served as the District Attorney General for Tennessee's Fifth Judicial District. Today, it's my honor to recognize his distinguished career and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mike grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, and attended the University of Tennessee for his undergraduate and law degrees. He has a love for East Tennessee and, in 1990, chose to run for the District Attorney General position in his home county where he has served ever since.

Mike has a real heart for crime victims, and he fights to make the justice system work for them. Once, when he was asked why he ran for the position, he said, ``I ran for District Attorney General because I felt that the voices of my victims were often overlooked. Throughout my career, I have attempted to listen to victims and make them a part of the criminal justice system.'' That kind of mentality greatly benefits our American system of justice.

Mike also played an active role in starting a Recovery Court program in Blount County. These recovery courts put individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders in treatment programs so they can recover and make better lives for themselves instead of relapsing once they finish serving their time.

I'm pleased to congratulate Mike on his retirement after 32 years of service to the Blount County community. I wish him all the best as he enters the next chapter of his life.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source