We speak of state Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland who represents the 24th Legislative District which spans most of our city.
The organization recently presenting him with the highly coveted Spirit of Service Award was Tennessee Christian Preparatory School during its fifth annual Presidential Celebration.
Cleveland’s well respected state lawmaker serves a diverse array of roles.
He is a professional communicator as evidenced by his employment with the Church of God International Offices.
He is a proven voice of the people whose integrity is unquestioned as witnessed by his Nashville lawmaker post in the Tennessee General Assembly.
He is a respected leader among those in the State Capitol and the administration of Gov. Bill Haslam as shown by his high-ranking selection to assistant majority leader by House of Representatives Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville.
He is a civic servant as showcased by his longstanding membership in one of our community’s finest organizations, the Rotary Club of Cleveland.
He is a loving husband, responsible parent and faithful follower — and leader — within his church home and congregation.
He is an advocate of education, a friend to young people and a believer in doing what is right even when such decisions are painful personally whether at the professional, legislative, denominational or volunteer levels.
During the recent presentation, TCPS President Dr. Bill Balzano alluded to the Spirit of Service Award as recognition to an area resident whose service to others is an example of Christian servitude.
Balzano explained it further in his presentation by pointing out, “Qualifications include exemplifying those commitments to the lordship of Jesus Christ. The person, over an extended period of time, has displayed service to our community.”
The latter half of the school president’s descriptive best tells the story of Spirit of Service — the recipient has displayed service to community “over an extended period of time.” This accolade is not in recognition of a single good deed. It is not merit for a nice gesture. It is not praise for one humanitarian act. As the award says, it is “over an extended period of time.”
In other words, the TCPS presentation is made to the man or woman whose life exemplifies community service at any and all levels.
It is why Rep. Brooks is this year’s recipient. To borrow upon an oft-used adage, he is one who practices what he preaches. Cleveland’s state legislator preaches well, but he practices to a much higher level. To call him a role model in virtually all components of life is in itself a journalistic shortcoming. He is more and he is humble in all his doings.
As a state legislator, Rep. Brooks faces many a long row to plow. He can’t please everyone. He never will, nor will anyone who is elected to political office by voters of differing values, far-ranging extremes and personal ideals. Yet he unceasingly dedicates his time to reach as many needs as is possible for one man.
This is another reason he is the recipient of the TCPS Spirit of Service Award.
We congratulate him on this honor. It was an excellent selection by a worthy school.
And speaking of TCPS, we will have more to say about the Presidential Celebration and yet another award recipient, one whose distinction is labeled affectionately as “Fourth Person.”
