Governor, Senator, And Statesman; Zell Miller Has Died
The 86 year journey began in the North Georgia mountain town of Young Harris. It was initially fostered by a single mother, Birdie. She was tough – had to be – and raised a son that inherited stubborn tenacity and dogged determination. These personal habits were “refined” by the US Marine Corps.
His elected career began as Mayor of Young Harris, and then two terms in the State Senate. He’s Georgia’s longest serving Lieutenant Governor, from 1975 to 1991. He was Governor from 1991-1999. He was appointed then elected Senator in 2000 and served until the end of his term in 2005.
He gave us the HOPE scholarship, for which a generation or more of Georgians will be grateful for their higher education. Georgia’s higher education institutions have benefitted from the retention of in-state students as well, in both quality and quantity. This also brought gambling to Georgia – unthinkable at the time it was proposed – in the form of a state lottery. Almost 30 years later, the funds from Georgia’s lottery revenues remain restricted as to purpose as originally intended, a feat and legacy unto itself.
His critics then tagged him with the moniker “Zig Zag Zell”, but they missed the bigger picture. Miller was leading a state that was changing. He changed with it, often before many were ready. He thought big, aimed big, and used the resolve taught by a single mom and charged Georgia’s political hills like a US Marine would.
He was a Democratic Senator that spoke at Republican Conventions. He challenged commentator Chris Matthews to a Duel. He didn’t go into a fight armed with spitballs.
Along the way he confounded Republicans and Democrats alike. At the end of the journey, there are results. There is a legacy. There is a life well lived, and a state well served.
Rest in Peace Governor and Senator. Well done.
About Author
Charlie
Founder of GeorgiaPol.com; Now weekly columnist Very interested in Georgia and Georginas. Interest in politics is waning daily.
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I’m going to leave the comments open, which is unusual for an announcement of someone’s passing. I know that some will want to leave their own remembrance. Those that take the opportunity to be less than respectful will be removed from our community without additional warning.
Atlanta, GA, March 23, 2018 – Today, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle made the following statement on the passing of former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller:
“One of the great honors of my time in public service was serving under Governor Zell Miller. We will remember Zell as the Governor who gave Georgia Hope – a true statesman who helped build the foundation that allowed our state to prosper. Through his passion for education, love for the people of our state, and dedication to giving Georgians the same opportunities that led a boy from a small mountain town to become one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century, Governor Miller leaves a legacy that will always be honored and celebrated.
“All of Georgia’s families and communities will feel the benefits of Governor Miller’s dedicated service for generations to come, and he will continue to set an example for what public service should be about. I know I speak for many Georgians when I say we will truly miss Zell Miller.
“Nita and I send our most sincere condolences to Shirley and the entire Miller family.”
ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) comments on the passing of Zell Miller.
“Bonnie and I join all Georgians in mourning the loss of former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller. Zell Miller touched the lives of many as a teacher, Marine, public servant, and friend. Throughout his career, Zell Miller was a strong advocate for the value of a public education and made it his mission to ensure Georgia students had the opportunity to pursue a college degree. Because of his work on the HOPE Scholarship Program, over 1.8 million Georgians have been able to attend a public college or university in Georgia who may not have been able to otherwise. His legacy will live on through them. Bonnie and I are praying for Shirley and the Miller family during this very difficult time.”
What I remember most about Zell was he built more roads than the Romans. If you live in metro Atlanta you might not think much of a new divided highway with two lanes in each direction but compared to some of the no-pass and poorly maintained roads they replaced in the rest of Georgia, they were shining roads of commerce. People could and did get to work and move goods in a much more reasonable time if they didn’t have to lug along behind pulpwood trucks and route salesmen, with little or no hope of passing. Thanks Governor for your efforts to improve the state you served.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today released the following statement on the passing of former Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller:
“With the passing of Zell Miller, Georgia has lost its finest public servant, and I have lost a great friend. I do not know of anyone who impacted the lives of Georgians more than Zell. His Marine Corps values of patriotism and loyalty guided his career in service to his state and his country. Zell and Shirley will always be Georgia’s first family. I treasure their friendship. Dianne and I hold the Miller family in our prayers.”
Isakson and Miller’s relationship extended many years in Georgia. In 1990, Miller and Isakson both ran for governor of Georgia. Miller won, and the two forged a positive working and personal relationship.
In 1996, following a period of turmoil at the State Board of Education, Miller appointed Isakson chairman of the board. Isakson successfully led the board until 1999, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Isakson again crossed paths with Miller following Miller’s decision not to seek reelection to the U.S. Senate. Isakson won Miller’s former U.S. Senate seat in 2004.
ATLANTA (March 23, 2018) | Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R – Gainesville) released the following statement on the passing of former Governor Zell B. Miller:
“Governor Miller was a friend to all who knew him. I knew him through my father-in-law, Jack Carey. Jack and Governor Miller were very close, having attended college together. One of my fondest memories of him is when he appeared on the Billy Dilworth Show.
Governor Miller truly had a positive impact on everyone he met and his impact on their lives will never be forgotten. He is an example of someone whose kingdom and legacy is not measured by what he had, but by what he did and the legacy he left behind. His commitment to this state and its citizens is truly commendable and will never be forgotten. He will have a lasting impact on Georgia through his message of honesty, decency, integrity and public service.
We will keep his family, friends and all of those he impacted in our thoughts and prayers. Today Georgia lost a legend, but his legacy will live on forever.”
Miller was the finest politician ever produced in this state. Period.
GAINESVILLE, Ga.Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement in response to news of former U.S. Sen. and Georgia Gov. Zell Miller’s passing:
“Zell Miller helped shape Georgia into one of the strongest states in the union. He was a national giant from northeast Georgia, and I looked up to him as a leader who never blinked in the face of a challenge or let politics eclipse his principles. I’ll always remember the ways in which he encouraged and supported me through many seasons. My family knew, admired and will miss Zell as a true man of the mountains. Our prayers are focused on his loved ones and the millions of Georgians whom he served.”
TLANTA – “Marty and I, along with all of Georgia, mourn the loss of a true public servant, Governor Zell Miller, who leaves behind an enduring legacy as a bold and brave leader,” said Secretary Kemp. “His efforts championing education set real opportunity within reach of so many citizens of our state through the creation of the HOPE scholarship and our nation’s first pre-kindergarten program, and we are all inspired by the unwavering values which characterized this statesman’s career. We extend our sympathies and prayers to Mrs. Shirley and the rest of the Miller family.”
I didn’t always agree with the Senator on all issues but I do respect him. His heart was always with us and we are a richer community for it. Rest in peace Senator, well done, and may God bless your family in this hour.
ROSWELL, GA – U.S. Representative Karen Handel today issued the following statement on the passing of former Georgia Governor and Senator Zell Miller. Miller served as the 79th governor of Georgia from 1991 through 1999, and represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 2000 to 2005.
“Zell Miller lived a life filled with courage and the resolve to lead,” Rep. Handel said. “He served our state and this country as a Marine, Mayor, State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, U.S. Senator, and regardless of title, a statesman. All of us are better off for his life, and his service. This is especially true for the 1.8 million Georgians – and counting – that have benefitted from higher education because of his HOPE scholarship program. Steve and I send our condolences to Shirley and the entire Miller family.”
Monroe, GA – Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) today issued the following statement on the passing of former Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller:
“Today is a sad day for the State of Georgia as we mourn the loss of an icon who fearlessly advocated for our state,” said Congressman Hice. “We, as Georgians, are grateful for Zell Miller’s principled leadership and service to our state and our country. His public service and commitment to serving the people of Georgia remains unparalleled. He was a trailblazer and role model for many who would follow in his footsteps. It is with great sadness and respect that I extend my deepest condolences to the Miller family, especially his wife, Shirley, his children and grandchildren, and his many friends. I hope it is a comfort to his family and friends that so many people share their tremendous loss and are praying for them in this difficult time.”
One of Georgia’s tallest pines has fallen. He and his contributions to the state he so loved will never be forgotten.
Would that more politicians could be like him in valuation of personal convictions over party. Would that more people could be like him in recognizing their own faults and foibles while still striving for the Corps Values of pride, discipline, courage, brotherhood, and respect for your fellow man. There is no better legacy than that said in his own words:
“When a child has no hope, a nation has no future.”– Zell Miller
He certainly served the state very well . I thought it was interesting how Miller didn’t switch parties when it could have flipped the Senate despite his issues with the Democratic Party.
His legacy stands out even more to me considering how he was sandwiched between two do-nothing governors. I’m referring to Harris and Perdue, Barnes only had one term and he did change the flag.