Tom Murphy (Georgia politician)

Murphy was born in Bremen, Georgia, where his father was a telegraph operator for the railroad.[2] Murphy graduated from Bremen High School in 1941 and enrolled in North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia.[3] During World War II Murphy served in the Navy in the South Pacific. After leaving the Navy Murphy attended the University of Georgia Law School, graduating in 1949. That same year he was elected to the Bremen Board of Education. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1960, serving in both positions simultaneously until 1965 when he left the Board of Education.[4]

From 1967 until 1970 Murphy was the House majority leader under Governor Lester Maddox. From 1970-1973 he was the Speaker pro tem of the House.

In 1973, he was elected to the position of Speaker in the House of Representatives where he remained until his general election defeat in 2002. Murphy quickly rose to a position of unsurpassed influence in state government.[5] 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, speaking of Murphy, noted political columnist Bill Shipp wrote, "In his 26 years as presiding officer of the House, he has become as powerful and important in the General Assembly as the governor."[6] 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.[7]

In May 2004, Murphy's grandson M. Chad Long, a lobbyist, and four others including former State Representative Robin L. Williams and former Atlanta Braves player Rick Camp were indicted on charges that they stole more than $2 million from the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia. In 2005, in U.S. District Court, Williams was convicted on 17 counts related to conspiracy, bribery, theft, health care fraud and money laundering, while the others were convicted on fewer counts. Long was found guilty of conspiracy and health-care fraud. All were sentenced to federal prison terms.[16] Williams was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, Camp received a sentence of 37 months, and Long received a shorter sentence.[16][17] The group, except Long, appealed their convictions, but in March 2007 the appeal was turned down. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in an unsigned decision that it found no merit to any of the arguments.[18]

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.[9]

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."[19]

• List of Speakers of the Georgia House of Representatives

• "Thomas B. Murphy papers". University of West Georgia.