Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, walks past protesters calling for the passage of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Medicaid expansion proposal as McNally walks to the Capitol on the opening day of the second session of the 109th General Assembly Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) NASHVILLE — A bill that expands eligibility for the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal to five service members killed in the 2015 Chattanooga attack as well as future victims of terrorist “inspired” or “directed” assaults is on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam for his consideration.
House members voted 92-0 in favor of the measure, which previously passed the Senate on a 33-0 vote.
Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, told colleagues the bill arose out of last July’s shooting spree in which 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez assaulted the U.S. Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, fatally shooting five Marine and Navy reservists.
Months following the attack, the FBI said Abdulazeez had been “inspired” by terrorist group propaganda. His family said he had been suffering from mental problems. Abdulazeez died in a hail of Chattanooga Police gunfire in a confrontation.
The bill makes these two changes in the qualifications for a Fallen Heroes Medal, which is awarded on behalf of service members on active duty who are killed in action.