Tom Murphy (U.S. politician)

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 till 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 United States Democratic party.

Biography

Murphy was born in Bremen, Georgia, where his father was the mayor as well as 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 and the Georgia House of Representatives 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. He became so politically powerful during his speakership, that he is largely credited with helping his legislative protege, 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.

Murphy suffered a stroke in 2004, which left him incapacitated. He died at 10:00 p.m. on December 17, 2007, in Bremen after years of declining health.

To honor of his service to Georgia, Murphy lay in state at the Georgia State Capitol on December 21, 2007—first within the House chambers and then in the Capitol Rotunda.

External links

• New Georgia Encyclopedia entry for Tom Murphy
• Tom Murphy obituary in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• last public appearance video featuring Tom Murphy, Nov. 16, 2003