A salute to Thomas B. Murphy

The longest serving Speaker of a state House of Representatives in U.S. history died Dec. 17, 2007, at the age of 83. From 1974 through 2002, Thomas B. Murphy presided over Georgia's House chamber.

Although, Mr. Murphy's roots were in rural Georgia, he worked for the betterment of the entire state. No one knows this better than local resident and businessman Bobbye Dwelle who served as Mr. Murphy's legislative aid for 30 years.

"His interest extended to the State Ports Authority, MARTA in Atlanta and the World Congress Center, along with the Georgia Road Improvement Program. You will find his fingerprints on everything that was good for Georgia for the past 30 to 35 years," said Dwelle.

Without Murphy's support and leadership, there would not be a Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympics in Atlanta or Centennial Olympics Parks. He also believed that those less fortunate should not start out life with two strikes against them.

"He was a champion for the handicapped, the poor and for all the children who could not speak for themselves. His love for his family was something that was the envy of everyone who knew this family," Dwelle said.

Dwelle also noted that Mr. Murphy was a friend of Jenkins County.

"It was during the Busbee administration that he and Murphy saw that the group camp facility at Magnolia Springs State Park was air conditioned, along with other improvements to the area. He came to Magnolia Springs 29 times for his annual fish fry, along with Governors Miller, Busbee, Harris and Barnes," Dwelle said.

He also called attention to the fact that it was through Mr. Murphy's efforts that $200,000 was obtained to design a proposed golf course for Magnolia Springs State Park that will, hopefully, one day become a reality.

"You will find Murphy's fingerprints everywhere you look around his beloved state," said Dwelle.

Most will agree that Thomas B. Murphy shaped modern Georgia history as much or more than any other individual.