Republican Breakfast Rally, Thomasville, GA
May 25, 2002

Republican Candidates

Good morning!!! It's great to be here. It's great to be back in Thomasville. I deeply appreciate the way the people of Thomasville have opened up their hearts to me again after six years of not campaigning. You were very special to me in my 1996 Congressional Campaign. We were blessed to win your vote, and we won all of Thomas County in that race.

This being Memorial Day weekend, every speaker has thanked our Veterans for their service to our country. Having served our country as a Marine Officer, I thank each and every one of you for remembering us as Veterans. I feel very special to be a part of the unique group we call Veterans.

How many of you have seen this new map of District 137? This is a shame. How could the Georgia democratic house legally do this? How can they spread a state legislative seat over five counties? I was taught in school that districts like this one are illegal. Well, apparently they are not. The courts just approved this map. If this map is not legally wrong, it is surely morally wrong.

Representative John Bullock, Senator Sonny Perdue, and Darrel

The reason for drawing this extremely unorthodox district was to eliminate one Republican representative in southwest Georgia. By putting both Doug Everett and John Bullock in the same seat, that is what will happen.

If for no other reason than the terrible injustice that has been done in the redrawing of districts, we need a new government on Atlanta. The voters need to send a message to Atlanta in November.

This type gathering reminds me of when I was a boy growing up here in the deep south. I come from a long line of Ministers. My oldest brother, my parents, my granddad, my great, great granddad were ministers. We used to have camp meetings. How many of you have ever been to a camp meeting? One preacher right after another preacher would speak. For us boys, it was hot, and we would get bored and restless. Then my granddad would get up to preach. He was a big fellow with a deep voice. As he came to the pulpit, he would always say, "it's great to be here; it's great to be in the house of the Lord." Excitement would flow through the crowd, and everyone would hang on his every word.

Well, this occasion also seems much like those old camp meeting days. It's great to be here. It's great to be in the house with Republicans.

I remember back in 1996 when I was campaigning for Congress. As I crisscrossed the 2nd District from Columbus to Bainbridge, across to Valdosta, and up to Tifton, the hours were long and often lonely. As my daughter Jo and I were pulling out of the driveway before sunup this morning to drive here to Thomasville, I told Jo that I had made this drive many times for one long year back in 1996. Seldom, almost never did I see another Republican candidate. Saxby Chambliss was gracious and came to Albany to be with me on the Dougherty County steps when I first announced. He later came back to help me with fund raising. Other than Saxby, Republican's were about as scarce as hen's teeth.

Now, six years later, just look at the Republican candidates. My, haven't we come a long ways in six years. Doug (Silvis), you and the Republican Party are doing a wonderful job. Yes, it's great to be in the house with all of these Republicans.

Thanks for welcoming me back to Thomasville. Meigs, in the northwest part of Thomas County, makes up only about five percent of District 137. But I am here, and I will be back. And, I will be back after the election to be your representative. I love you. I will work hard to represent you in Atlanta. God bless you.