No. 1, Jan. 14, 2003

Governor Sonny Perdue Inaugurated
Legislature Convenes, New Speaker Elected

The Georgia General Assembly convened Monday morning (Jan. 13) under the gold dome in Atlanta for its 2003 legislative session.

The first day was momentous, with Georgia's new Governor, Sonny Perdue, being sworn into office in the afternoon and the House electing its first new speaker in a quarter-century - Terry Coleman of Eastman, Ga. - shortly after the opening gavel sounded.

The inaugural events began Sunday afternoon with an open house at the Governor's Mansion. Early Monday morning, Perdue, his family, friends and many legislators attended an ecumenical prayer service at the Church of the Apostles.

Perdue, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and several other state officials took the oath of office during a 2 p.m. ceremony at Phillips Arena attended by approximately 8,000 people. The inaugural festivities carried late into the night as Georgia singer Ray Charles headlined a party at the Georgia World Congress Center. As the House and Senate get down to business, the budget is one of the chief agenda items. Gov. Perdue plans to announce his spending proposals on Wednesday (Jan. 15).

Each year, Senior Vice Chancellor Thomas E. Daniel takes the lead in communicating the University System of Georgia's key messages and representing its interests at the Capitol during the legislative session. Although this is sure to be another tight budget year given the state's struggling economy, Daniel is optimistic that the University System's basic needs will be met.

"Education is critically important to Gov. Perdue, and I am certain that the University System of Georgia will be a strong partner in his plans to continue improving education at every level," Daniel said. "These are extremely tight times - and we are mindful that the University System is competing with many other state agencies for limited state funds - but our new Governor recognizes that investing in public higher education now will pay dividends over the long term, resulting in a stronger, healthier University System."

Many New Faces in Georgia's House and Senate New Senate Members

The 2003 Georgia Senate has 56 members, 17 of which are new. Seven of the new senators are not new to the General Assembly, though, having held seats in the House during the last term.

Georgia's new senators are:

Mary Squires, Norcross Ginger Collins, Atlanta John Bulloch, Ochlocknee Ross Tolleson, Perry Randy Hall, Augusta Dan Moody, Alpharetta Valencia Seay, College Park Kasim Reed, Atlanta Sam Zamarripa, Atlanta

Chuck Clay, Marietta Liane Levetan, Atlanta Steve Henson, Tucker David Adelman, Decatur Renee Unterman, Loganville Brian Kemp, Athens Ralph Hudgens, Hull; and Preston Smith, Rome.

New House of Representatives Members

The 2003 Georgia House of Representatives has 180 members, 51 of which are new. Three of the new representatives have previous experience in the state's General Assembly.

Georgia's new House representatives are:

Jack White, Blue Ridge Craig Brock, Chatsworth David Ralston, Blue Ridge Tom Graves, Ranger Jack Murphy, Cumming Chip Rogers, Woodstock Calvin Hill, Woodstock Bill Heath, Bremen Stacey Reece, Gainesville Chris Elrod, Jefferson Howard Maxwell, Dallas Matt Dollar, Marietta Alisha Thomas, Austell Pat Dooley, Marietta Doug Stoner, Smyrna Rob Teilhet, Atlanta Charles Martin, Jr., Alpharetta Jan Jones, Alpharetta Nick Moraitakis, Atlanta Mable Thomas, Atlanta John Noel, Atlanta Roger Bruce, Atlanta Virgil Fludd, Fairburn Jill Chambers, Atlanta Mary Margaret Oliver, Atlanta Howard Mosby, Atlanta

Pam Stephenson, Lithonia Teresa Greene-Johnson, Lithonia Earnest Williams, Stone Mountain Billy Mitchell, Stone Mountain Pedro Marin, Duluth David Casas, Lilburn Curt Thompson, Norcross Hugh Floyd, Norcross John Heard, Lawrenceville Donna Sheldon, Dacula John Douglas, Covington Barry Fleming, Harlem Victor Hill, College Park Mark Butler, Carrollton Chuck Harper, Carrollton Lee Howell, Griffin Quincy Murphy, Augusta Pete Warren, Augusta Debbie Buckner, Junction City Bert Oliver, Glennville Edward Stephens, Savannah Al Williams, Midway Jay Roberts, Ocilla Ed Rynders, Albany; and Cecily Hill, Saint Marys.

Coming Next Week: Excerpts from Gov. Perdue's Inaugural Address; and Excerpts from Gov. Perdue's Budget Address.