Tom Murphy (Georgia politician)
| Tom Murphy | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 69th Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
|
In office January 14, 1973 – January 13, 2003 |
|
| Governor |
Jimmy Carter George Busbee Joe Frank Harris Zell Miller Roy Barnes |
| Preceded by | George L. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Terry Coleman |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 18th district | |
|
In office January, 1961 – January 13, 2003 |
|
| Succeeded by | Bill Heath |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
10 March 1924 Bremen, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | 17 December 2007 (aged 83) Bremen, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
North Georgia College University of Georgia Law School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Thomas Bailey "Tom" Murphy (March 10, 1924 – December 17, 2007) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. Murphy was the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1973 until his defeat in the general election of 2002, making him the longest serving House Speaker of any U.S. state legislature. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Murphy was born in Bremen, Georgia, where his father was a telegraph operator for the railroad. Murphy graduated from Bremen High School in 1941 and enrolled in North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. 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.
From 1967 until 1970 Murphy was the floor leader in the House 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. 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.
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.
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