Tom Murphy (Georgia politician)
Tom Murphy | |
---|---|
Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
In office December 19, 1973 – January 13, 2003 | |
Governor | |
Preceded by | George L. Smith |
Succeeded by | Terry Coleman |
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
In office January 9, 1961 – January 13, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Harold Lloyd Murphy |
Succeeded by | Bill Heath |
Constituency | Haralson County (1961–1966) 26th district (1966–1969) 19th district (1969–1973) 18th district (1973–2003) |
Personal details | |
Born | Thomas Bailey Murphy March 10, 1924 Bremen, Georgia, U.S. |
Died | December 17, 2007 Bremen, Georgia, U.S. | (aged 83)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Agnes Bennett
(m. 1946; died 1982) |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | North Georgia College University of Georgia (JD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1941–1945 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Thomas Bailey Murphy (March 10, 1924 – December 17, 2007) was an attorney and American politician from the U.S. state of
Biography
Murphy was born in
From 1967 until 1970 Murphy was the House majority leader under Governor Lester Maddox. From 1970 to 1973 he was the Speaker pro tem of the House.
In December 1973, he was elected to the position of Speaker in the House of Representatives following the unexpected death of George L. Smith.[5] He remained Speaker until his general election defeat in 2002. Murphy quickly rose to a position of unsurpassed influence in state government.[6] He became so politically powerful during his speakership, that he is largely credited with helping his legislative protégé, Joe Frank Harris, get elected governor in 1982.[3]
During his tenure, Murphy was a key figure in Georgia's economic development and throughout statewide politics; and was considered by many to be the best friend Atlanta ever had in the legislature despite his rural residency and upbringing.
In 2000 political columnist Bill Shipp wrote of Murphy, "In his 26 years as presiding officer of the House, he has become as powerful and important in the General Assembly as the governor."[7] Murphy's brusque manners could be off putting, and often required the more diplomatic intervention of his speaker pro tempore, Jack Connell. U.S. District Judge Dudley Bowen Jr observed that Tom Murphy was a powerhouse, and he was an administration unto himself. And Connell knew how to be nice to people. Connell knew how to work with people.[8]
Reapportionment and downfall
Fiercely partisan, Murphy described himself as a "yellow dog" Democrat, or one who would rather vote for a yellow dog than vote for a Republican.[9] U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland, who served in the state house from 1993 to 2005–the last four years as minority leader–put it bluntly: "Tom Murphy wasn't fair, he wasn't bipartisan and he didn't light up a room with his smile."[10]
In 1991 and 2001 Murphy presided over the
Murphy frequently skated to reelection, but faced increasingly competitive races from the late 1980s onward as Atlanta's suburbs began bleeding into his district. Indeed, Republican candidates began winning up and down the ballot in the district during this time. In 2000, he faced his closest race yet against Republican Bill Heath.[11][12] Murphy only held on by 505 votes, a margin of less than two percentage points.[13]
Gerrymandering ultimately proved to be Murphy's downfall. The contorted districts that resulted from the 2001 remap both confused and angered voters, and is believed to have led to Murphy losing his own seat in 2002 in a rematch against Heath.[2][14]
Shortly after the controversial 2001
Personal life
Murphy married Agnes Bennett in 1946.[5] She died in 1982.[17] They had four children together.[17]
In May 2004, Murphy's grandson M. Chad Long, a lobbyist, and four others including former State Representative
Death and legacy
Murphy suffered a stroke in 2004, which left him incapacitated. He died at 10:00 p.m. on December 17, 2007, in Bremen after years of declining health. To honor his service to Georgia, Murphy lay in state at the Georgia State Capitol on December 21, 2007—first within the House chambers and then in the Capitol Rotunda.[10]
When Murphy died, Georgia Republican U. S. Senator Johnny Isakson said, "Tom Murphy was a giant in Georgia politics, and his legacy is everywhere. Without Tom Murphy there would be no World Congress Center, or Georgia Dome or MARTA." Isakson went on to say, "As tough as he was on the outside, he had a soft spot in his heart for children, the poor and the sick. He was a product of the Depression and it left a lasting impression on him. In many a speech Speaker Murphy would reflect on the days of his youth and would vow never to let a Georgia child face the conditions he did."[21]
See also
References
- ^ "Obituary: Thomas Bailey Murphy". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e "Tom Murphy (1924-2007)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ a b Steely, Mel (February 15, 2014). "Oral history interview with Speaker Tom Murphy, October 14, 1997". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - Term 1965-1966. State of Georgia. February 1965. Retrieved May 12, 2018 – via Digital Library of Georgia.
- ^ a b "Georgia Official and Statistical Register, 1973-1974" (PDF). Georgia Department of Archives and History. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Shipp, Bill (November 28, 2000). "Presidential battle harkens back to Georgia's 1966 governor's race". Athens Banner-Herald. Archived from the original on January 12, 2002. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ Shipp, Bill (January 12, 2000). "How much longer will the party last for Speaker Tom Murphy?". Athens Banner-Herald. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ Kirby, Bill; Cooper, Sylvia (7 February 2013). "Former state Rep. Jack Connell of Augusta dies". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ a b Goodman, Brenda (December 20, 2007). "Tom B. Murphy, a Longtime Power in Georgia, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c Pierson, Drew (December 18, 2007). "Georgia, Carroll, Haralson remember Tom Murphy". The Times-Georgian. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
- ^ Pruitt, Kathey (2000). "Showdown in Haralson: Legendary Speaker Murphy Faces Stiffest Challenge". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. 3D.
- ^ Chapman, Dan (2000). "Taking on Mr. Speaker; A Political Newcomer is Giving Tom Murphy his Toughest Race in Years". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. 1F.
- ^ "State Representative - District 18". Georgia Election Results, Official Results of the November 7, 2000 General Election. Georgia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Tom Murphy Biography". WSB-TV. December 18, 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ "Members Of The General Assembly Of Georgia First Session of 1989-90 Term". State of Georgia. January 1989. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Chairman". Georgia Public Service Commission. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "Former Georgia House speaker dies". Coastal Courier. December 18, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Hodson, Sandy; Corwin, Tom; Cooper, Sylvia (May 5, 2005). "Williams is guilty on all 17 charges". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ Hodson, Sandy (September 25, 2011). "Trio of convicted Augusta politicians await release from prison". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "Rick Camp loses appeal". ESPN. Associated Press. March 13, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "Isakson Statement on the Passing of Former Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy". Johnny Isakson. December 18, 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2018.