by Rebecca Hightower
The University of West Georgia welcomed former Governor Zell Miller and his wife Shirley on Friday September 5, 2014. Governor and Mrs. Miller were joined by Judge Mike and Carol Murphy, Regent Larry Walker and his wife Janice, Mayor Wayne Garner and his son Griffin, and the Honorable Dink NeSmith for lunch and a tour following the signing of the Thomas B. Murphy Memorial Endowment. The distinguished group toured Speaker Thomas B. Murphy’s replica office in the Ingram Library sharing memories of the late Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives before the official signing.
Former Georgia Governor Zell Miller and UWG freshman Phillip Morris
The Thomas B. Murphy Memorial Endowment was established in 2007 as a lasting tribute to Speaker Murphy’s dedication to his family, community and state. Murphy was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1960, and he served as the Speaker of the House from 1974 until 2002-- the longest continuous term of any House Speaker in a U.S. State Legislature. Murphy served during the administrations of governors Jimmy Carter, George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller and Roy Barnes. His roots in Bremen, Georgia give him close ties to UWG and the West Georgia area.
Executive Director of Development Diane Homesley explains, “The endowment will fund enhancements to the Thomas B. Murphy Reading Room, conservation and preservation of the Thomas B. Murphy collection as well development of programs that explore and encourage civic engagement and participation in the political process. The fund will also aid in the education of students and the community on Speaker Murphy’s contributions to Georgia.”
Speaker Murphy’s son, the Honorable Michael Murphy, Chief Judge of the Tallapoosa Circuit Court of Georgia presented a check to UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero for the endowment in the amount of $27, 692.85, from his father’s campaign fund.
“I have the check here for the last dollar from the Thomas B. Murphy campaign fund, and I can’t think of a better place to render the balance of all that than to the University of West Georgia,” explains Judge Murphy. “This money will be used to enhance education and educational opportunities for students and for adults who are interested in public service and want to learn how to do it the right way.”
Left to right: President Marrero, Regent Walker, Judge Murphy (seated), Governor Miller, Mayor Garner, Dean Flanders
Dr. Marrero extended his gratitude on behalf of the entire university and addressed Governor Miller stating, “I am reminded constantly by faculty and staff that while you were governor the dedication to education that you brought to this state through the Hope Scholarship program has been a difference maker and has made our university system unique because of your leadership.”
Phillip Morris, a UWG freshman working as a student assistant for the Ingram Library expressed his excitement at having a chance to meet the dignitaries during their visit. After shaking hands with Governor Miller, Morris exclaims, “This is exciting. This is what puts UWG on the map. My first semester in college, and I am shaking hands with a governor. He could be anywhere, but he chose UWG. I love being part of this.”
Regent Walker, who served in the Georgia State Assembly for over 30 years, spoke to his memories of both Governor Miller and Speaker Murphy. “Governor Miller was the best governor in my lifetime. And I loved Mr. Murphy. Nobody had a more positive influence on the state of Georgia than Tom Murphy. He loved Georgia and wanted what was best for Georgia.” He adds, “The plaques here say he was sometimes a conservative, and sometimes a liberal. But I think he was a populist. He was for the underdog, always the underdog.”
“In his last public speech, Speaker Tom Murphy was speaking at his alma mater at commencement urging graduates to vote and to be involved in their communities,” concludes Dean of Libraries Lorene Flanders. “He stated, ‘You can’t be neutral on America’s future.’ He inspired them to be engaged in their community, be voters, go to their city councils, their legislatures, their congressional leaders and participate.”
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