March and November time changes here to stay

"During the period commencing at 2 o’clock antemeridian on the second Sunday of March of each year and ending at 2 o’clock antemeridian on the first Sunday of November of each year, the standard time of each zone established by sections 261 to 264 of this title, as modified by section 265 of this title, shall be advanced one hour and such time as so advanced shall for the purposes of such sections 261 to 264, as so modified, be the standard time of such zone during such period ...

It is hereby declared that it is the express intent of Congress by this section to supersede any and all laws of the States or political subdivisions thereof insofar as they may now or hereafter provide for advances in time or changeover dates different from those specified in this section ..."

- Title 15, Section 260, United States Code

"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land ..."

- Constitution of the United States, Article VI, clause 2

The code section I quote above goes on to state that a state may exempt itself from the advancement of time or may exempt the portion of the state lying within a certain time zone if a state is split (as Tennessee is - portions of the state in both Eastern and Central time zones).

And so it shall be, folks.  Tonight (3/7/2020) at 2:00 a.m. we go through a biannual tradition that some would just as soon abolish: The change of clocks.  And despite action by the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Bill Lee last year that made our state's official year-round time Daylight Saving, Congress and President Donald Trump have the final say to enact laws.  

For something that has happened for all of my lifetime, it sure seems that, in recent years, there has been a lot of complaining as if the perceived issues just came into our lives.  The Tennessean quoted state representative Rick Tillis and my Metro Council member discussing the lack of sleep and a perceived increase in risk of heart attacks.  Tillis has also been quoted as stating that some farm animals, i.e. dairy cattle, become disoriented to the change of time.

Most of us enjoy the extra hour of daylight.  The reason for the return to standard time has been stated as the need for morning light to increase safety for school age children and adults heading for work.  In any event, thanks to President George W. Bush and Congress in 2005, we only have four months of standard time.

And only two Sundays per year where our body clocks may become somewhat disoriented.

"Spring forward" and "Fall back" have been a part of our lives.  And they are likely to stay that way.

For complaints, please write U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (or any other person who represents you in the House of Representatives), Senator Lamar Alexander, or Senator Marsha Blackburn.

And while you are at it, move your clocks forward before you crash tonight.

James A. Rose

Publisher