Cotton Ivy Explained

Cotton Ivy
Office:Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture
Term Start:January 13, 1989
Term End:1995
Predecessor:A. C. Clark
Successor:Dan Wheeler
State House2:Tennessee
District2:63rd
Term Start2:1985
Term End2:1989
Successor2:Steve McDaniel
Birth Name:Lamarse Howard Ivy
Birth Date:15 May 1930
Birth Place:Decaturville, Tennessee, U.S.
Death Place:Decaturville, Tennessee, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:University of Tennessee

Lamarse Howard "Cotton" Ivy (May 15, 1930May 25, 2021) was an American author, educator, entertainer, and politician who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district from 1985 to 1989, as a member of the Democratic Party. Following his tenure in the state house he served as the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture from 1989 to 1995.

Ivy was born in Decaturville, Tennessee, and educated at Decaturville High School and the University of Tennessee. He briefly worked as a teacher for two years before becoming an entertainer. During his entertainment career he recorded four albums, joined the Country Music Association, and appeared on Hee Haw.

He entered politics in the 1980s with his election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1984. During his tenure in the state house he attempted to become Speaker of the House and Assistant Majority Leader. In 1989, Governor Ned McWherter appointed him as the Commissioner of Agriculture, a position in which he served until 1995. He died in 2021.

Early life

Lamarse Howard Ivy was born in Decaturville, Tennessee, on May 15, 1930, to Howard Ivy. He was given the nickname Cotton due to his premature white hair. Ivy graduated from Decaturville High School and the University of Tennessee with a degree in agriculture education. He served in the United States Air Force. He married Patricia Lou Joyner, with whom he had four children, on October 26, 1949, in Corinth, Mississippi.[1] [2] [3] Ivy worked as a teacher for two years in the 1950s.[4] [5] He was given the National 4-H Club Alumnus Award in 1986.[6]

Career

Entertainment

Ivy made four albums with the booking agency Top Billing and was a member of the Country Music Association. During his entertainment career he appeared on Hee Haw.[7] While serving in the state legislature Ivy sponsored a resolution, which was presented by Governor Ned McWherter, alongside Representative John S. Tanner to honor Tandy Clinton Rice Jr. for his contributions to Nashville, entertainment, and the United Cerebral Palsy of Tennessee.[8]

Tennessee House of Representatives

Ivy ran for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district with the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican nominee G. L. Teague, who had served in the state house in the 1970s.[9] [10] [11] He won reelection in 1986.[12] Ivy announced that he would not seek reelection in the 1988 election and was succeeded by Republican Steve McDaniel.[13] [14]

Ivy was appointed to serve on the Education and Transportation committees in 1985.[15] He sought the position of Speaker of the House following the 1986 elections and wrote to other members of the state house asking for support to become Assistant Majority Leader.[16] [17] He was ranked as the eighty-third best member of the 94th General Assembly by the Nashville Banner.[18] In 1987, Ivy was appointed to serve on the Finance, Ways and Means, and Agriculture committees.[19] During the 1988 presidential election he supported Senator Al Gore for the Democratic nomination.

Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture

On October 27, 1988, Governor McWherter announced at a rally at Decatur County Riverside High School that he would appoint Ivy to succeed A.C. Clark as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture.[20] [21] He was the fifth person appointed to the cabinet by McWherter.[22] During his tenure he served as secretary-treasurer for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.[23] A section of Highway 641 was named in his honor in 1994.[24] Ivy served as Commissioner of Agriculture until Governor Don Sundquist selected Dan Wheeler to succeed him in 1995.[25]

Tommy Hooper, the chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, called for Ivy to resign after Ivy insulted Republicans during a forum in Chester County, Tennessee. Jim Kennedy, McWherter's chief of staff, wrote a letter to Hopper where he stated that no complaints were lodged against Ivy and that McWherter would not dismiss Ivy.[26] [27]

Later life

In 2000, Ivy and former state Senator Roy Herron co-wrote the book Tennessee Political Humor (Some of these Jokes You Voted For.). During the 2000 presidential election he served as master of ceremonies alongside Shirlene Mercer for a campaign event by Gore's presidential campaign.[28]

Ivy died in Decaturville, Tennessee, on May 25, 2021.[21]

Political positions

In 1985, Ivy was given a petition containing 1,243 signatures which opposed legislation requiring people to wear a seat belt.[29] He opposed legislation requiring seat belts to be worn, despite having been hospitalized after a car crash, stating that he understood "that seat belts are important" and that he wished that the "whole country would wear 'em", but that he had a phobia towards wearing a seat belt.[30] [31] The state house voted fifty-three to forty, with Ivy against, in favor of legislation requiring the mandatory usage of seat belts in 1986.[32] Ivy offered an amendment to the legislation which would have excluded pickup trucks from the legislation, but it failed by a vote of forty-five to forty-three.[33]

In 1985, the state house voted sixty-three to thirty, with Ivy voting to table, to table legislation which would allow drunk drivers to continue working while serving the forty-five day sentence given to them for a second offense.[34] In 1986, the state house voted fifty-four to thirty-seven, with Ivy voting against, in favor of legislation that would increase the gas tax by 4ยข and the legislation was approved by the state senate by a vote of twenty-six to six.[35]

Ivy was named Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee Forestry Association in 1987.[36] He voted against legislation which would have increased the salaries of state legislators.[37]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: L. H. "Cotton" Ivy . . live . https://archive.today/20210529202101/https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/94GA/Members/h63.htm . May 29, 2021.
  2. News: Lamarse H. "Cotton" Ivy obituary . May 25, 2021 . . live . https://archive.today/20210528133113/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jacksonsun/obituary.aspx?n=lamarse-h-ivy-cotton&pid=198805295 . May 28, 2021.
  3. News: Miss Joyner Weds Lamarse H. Ivy . October 30, 1949 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529052919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78463752/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 24 . Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Decatur Teachers For 1958-59 Year Elected by Board . March 16, 1958 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529181544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464708/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 34 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Call Him Cotton . March 20, 1983 . The Star Press . live . https://archive.today/20210529182140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464755/the-star-press/ . May 29, 2021 . 18 . Newspapers.com.
  6. News: 4-H Club honors 'Cotton' Ivy with national alumnus award . March 30, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529182344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508129/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 22 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Ivy, Humorist, Lawmaker, To Speak At Gore Rally . August 2, 1987 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529182601/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509515/the-leaf-chronicle/ . May 29, 2021 . 25 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Resolution honoring Tandy Rice . April 18, 1987 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529182802/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509215/the-tennessean/ . May 29, 2021 . 41 . Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Legislators ward off challengers . August 3, 1984 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529183023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465173/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Wins in other House races clear-cut . November 7, 1984 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529183206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465168/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Alexander Tells Tales, Plays Piano for GOP . September 26, 1984 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529184046/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465163/the-tennessean/ . May 29, 2021 . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  12. News: Incumbents carry the day . November 5, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529184301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508834/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 9 . Newspapers.com.
  13. News: Rep. 'Cotton' Ivy decides not to seek office again . March 24, 1988 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529184437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78510014/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 9 . Newspapers.com.
  14. News: GOP picks up seat in Senate . November 9, 1988 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529184608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511353/kingsport-times-news/ . May 29, 2021 . 22 . Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Area lawmakers join leadership . January 10, 1985 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529184914/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78475768/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 11 . Newspapers.com.
  16. News: Candidates ready to start race . April 28, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529185109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507887/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 19 . Newspapers.com.
  17. News: Burnett may try to win back leadership position in House . September 4, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529185255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508627/the-tennessean/ . May 29, 2021 . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  18. News: Poll rates McWherter state's best legislator . June 11, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529185459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508246/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 9 . Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Committees . January 16, 1987 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529185655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509031/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 4 . Newspapers.com.
  20. News: McWherter selects 'Cotton' Ivy to lead agriculture department . October 28, 1988 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529185853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511026/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  21. News: Former Agriculture Commissioner L.H. "Cotton" Ivy dies at 91 . May 26, 2021 . Tennessee Lookout . live . https://archive.today/20210529190037/https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/former-agriculture-commissioner-l-h-cotton-ivy-dies-at-91/ . May 29, 2021.
  22. News: Ivy joins Cabinet . January 14, 1989 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529190733/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511634/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
  23. News: Secretary-treasurer Ivy . March 26, 1989 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529190922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78513254/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 58 . Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Highway 641 named for Cotton Ivy . April 16, 1994 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529191235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523537/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 4 . Newspapers.com.
  25. News: Wheeler appointed to cabinet . December 7, 1994 . Johnson City Press . live . https://archive.today/20210529051509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523694/johnson-city-press/ . May 29, 2021 . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  26. News: Demos deaf to GOP's squawks . April 4, 1991 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529191425/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522316/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  27. News: Heated words fire partisan feud . April 4, 1991 . Johnson City Press . live . https://archive.today/20210529191835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522337/johnson-city-press/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  28. News: 'It's great to be home' . October 26, 2000 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529193048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78516093/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  29. News: Seat belt bill, opponents set for collision . May 2, 1985 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529193255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476172/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  30. News: Ivy uses humor to push seat belts . February 25, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529193509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476314/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  31. News: Seat belt diehard buckles up, encourages others . May 15, 1985 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476615/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  32. News: Senate gets seat belt bill . March 28, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478205/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  33. News: Buckling up to be the law in Tennessee . March 28, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194407/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478538/the-daily-news-journal/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  34. News: DUI bill tabled . May 2, 1985 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476530/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 12 . Newspapers.com.
  35. News: Road boost . April 18, 1986 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507444/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  36. News: Outstanding Legislator of the Year . November 19, 1987 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529194932/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509714/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 11 . Newspapers.com.
  37. News: Proposed legislature pay raise defeated, not dead . May 7, 1987 . . live . https://archive.today/20210529195126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509775/the-jackson-sun/ . May 29, 2021 . 12 . Newspapers.com.

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