I am petitioning the Tennessee General Assembly to recognize September 5th as Jack Daniel Day in Tennessee

 

PETITION TO ESTABLISH A TENNESSEE STATE HOLIDAY HONORING JACK DANIEL

To Members of the Tennessee General Assembly:

We, the undersigned members of the Tennessee Squire Association, Friends of Jack and proud Tennesseans respectfully petition the Tennessee General Assembly to establish an official Tennessee State Holiday recognizing Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel and the extraordinary legacy he left to our state, our nation, and the world.

Few individuals have contributed more to Tennessee's identity, economy, tourism, and international reputation than Jack Daniel. More than 150 years after founding his distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the Jack Daniel name remains one of the most recognized brands on Earth and serves as a global ambassador for Tennessee craftsmanship and culture.

The impact of Jack Daniel's legacy extends far beyond whiskey production:

• The Jack Daniel Distillery attracts approximately 300,000 visitors annually to Lynchburg and Moore County, bringing travelers from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries to Tennessee each year. These visitors support local hotels, restaurants, retailers, transportation providers, and tourism-related businesses throughout Middle Tennessee.

• The distillery is one of Tennessee's most significant manufacturing and export operations and serves as the economic backbone of Moore County.

• Jack Daniel's operations support hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs across Tennessee through manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, tourism, hospitality, construction, and supplier networks.

• The company contributes millions of dollars annually in local and state tax revenue while generating substantial federal excise tax revenue estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

• The Jack Daniel brand has helped establish Tennessee whiskey as a globally recognized product category, creating economic opportunities for distilleries and tourism destinations across our state.

Beyond economics, Jack Daniel represents the values Tennesseans cherish: hard work, craftsmanship, innovation, entrepreneurship, and pride in our heritage. His story is one of humble beginnings, determination, and a commitment to quality that continues to inspire generations.

Just as Tennessee honors its military heroes, civil rights leaders, and cultural icons, it is fitting that our state recognize the man whose name has become synonymous with Tennessee around the world.

We therefore respectfully request that legislation be introduced creating "Jack Daniel Day" as an official Tennessee State Holiday, to be observed annually in recognition of his contributions to Tennessee's history, culture, tourism, and economic prosperity.

Such a designation would celebrate not only Jack Daniel himself, but also the generations of Tennessee families whose livelihoods have been supported by the industry and legacy he created.

We further propose that the official observance be designated as "Jack Daniel Day" and held annually on September 5, the widely recognized birthday of Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel.

The year 2026 marks the 180th anniversary of Jack Daniel's birth, providing a historic and meaningful opportunity for Tennessee to formally recognize one of its most influential entrepreneurs and cultural ambassadors.

Respectfully submitted,

Steven Mark Barbaro