The Bedford County Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday night to name the Community High School gym after county commission member Roger K. Brothers, a lifelong citizen of Bedford County.

Brothers is one of two county commissioners representing the district where the school is located.

In a testimonial of why the gym should be named after Brothers, who chairs the county's Financial Management Committee, board member Ron Adcock told board members that Brothers was instrumental in securing the funding for three new schools in the county, Shelbyville Central High, Learning Way Elementary, and Community.

"This would be a fitting and well-deserved tribute to Roger Brothers," said Adcock, stating it was an honor for him to make the suggestion.

Brothers is a 1964 graduate of the Bedford County school system. In 1965, he joined the National Guard, from which he retired in 2003. While in the guard, he received an accounting degree, knowledge which has helped in his role as a county commissioner for the last 30 years.

Adcock also spoke of Brothers' devotion to the community through civic involvement.

All of the board members agreed with Adcock, and once the measure was passed, they took a brief recess to make a phone call to Brothers, who is suffering from health problems, to inform him of the news.

"He's one of the smartest men I know and he truly understands the operations of this county," said a tearful Amy Martin. "No one deserves it more."

Barry Cooper, chairman of the board agreed, stating, "We want to congratulate him on this honor. It is well deserved."