Former Speaker passes

Former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Tom Murphy, 83, passed away Dec. 17, nearly four years after a stroke left him incapacitated.

"Speaker Murphy's spirit will forever be part of the General Assembly and his love for our state should serve as an example to us all," Gov. Sonny Perdue said Tuesday. "His family and friends will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Gov. Perdue ordered flags on state buildings and grounds lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of Speaker Murphy's funeral.

Thomas B. Murphy, a native of Bremen, was a Navy veteran who saw combat action in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was first elected to the House in 1961, serving as Speaker Pro Tempore from 1971-1973.

Murphy was first elected Speaker Jan. 14, 1974, and was reelected Speaker each session until 2003. Murphy served as Speaker longer than anyone else in Georgia history, and at the end of his tenure, he was the longest tenured Speaker in the United States.

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