James_September-October_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 76
In 2005, as a sign of their reverence for the former
Speaker, the Republican-led legislature unanimously
approved the hanging of Murphy’s portrait inside the
capitol. Then in 2008, as part of an $8 million library
renovation, the General Assembly approved a package
to replicate and preserve Murphy’s Capitol office at the
University of West Georgia. Nearly 1,500 artifacts collected over the course of Murphy’s 42 years of House representation (29 as speaker) were carefully indexed by the
UWG curatorial team in preparation for the exhibit.
The official opening of the Thomas B. Murphy Office
Replica took place on April 19, 2012. In attendance
were Governors Barnes and Perdue, along with all four
living Georgia House Speakers. In his speech that day,
Ralston declared “Murphy’s shadow extends all the
way across Georgia and he left his mark in a way that
will last forever.”
Dean of the Ingram Library Blynn Olivieri Parker
oversees the preservation of the office replica. According to Olivieri Parker, special care is taken to control
lighting, humidity and temperature inside. She noted
how the office features an elite HVAC system akin to
those at the best museums, “when I go in to check on
the office, there is not a speck of dust.”
Dean Parker continued “it’s an important advocacy piece for the university, used by the President [Dr.
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Michael Johnson] but also by students as a tool for
teaching civic engagement.” Although it’s locked up
most of the time to protect the integrity of its contents, two of the walls are made of glass, making the
inside visible at all times to whoever wants to visit.
Adding to the Legacy
As anyone who has spent time in the Georgia Capitol can attest, the inside of the building feels just as
much like an art museum as it does a seat of state government. It is incumbent upon each new generation
of elected officials to not only initiate the monuments
and portraits but to also enhance the historical record
when given the chance.
The increased politicization of American history in
contemporary discourse means it’s even more important now to get more primary resources on the record.
It is a concept that 3rd District U.S. Rep. Brian Jack
views as one of his most solemn duties.
“I was driving through Haralson County with Sheriff Stacy Williams and we drove past the law office of
Speaker Tom Murphy (and) seeing that office spurred
an interest,” Jack said. It led to formation of a roundtable event to add to the historical record of Murphy’s
continuing legacy. And as a district native and lifelong
student of history, Jack saw the America 250 summer
as the perfect time to host such an event.
West Georgia was more than happy to host the
event. However, Jack knew he needed to get current
House Speaker Jon Burns on board, “Speaker Burns
was always the main draw, so when I briefed him and
his team on it, they loved the concept.”
The roundtable discussion was scheduled for July
29 at the Ingram Library. It began with a reception
and tours of the replica office from Olivieri Parker and
University President Dr. Michael Johnson. Then came
the main event, a gathering of current and former
legislators, former staff members, reporters, and the
Murphy family. Led by Jack, the group shared stories
and reflected on Murphy’s legacy. Or, as Burns put it,
“one of the very few people you can refer to in life as
being a giant.”
The discussion was a peak behind the curtain to
the events and conversations that are rarely told in
public. Former top Democratic lieutenants like Appropriations Chairman Bubba McDonald and Caucus
Chairman Calvin Smyre shared their stories of how
Murphy approached advancing legislation, whipping
votes and negotiating with Senate leadership and the
governor’s office.
Republican leaders of the day, such as former
House Minority Leader Lynn Westmoreland, recounted how fierce a partisan Murphy was at all times.
However, Murphy still built relationships across the
