Recognizing Governor Brian Kemp

Floor Speech

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Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, on January 14, 2019, at a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly that was held on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, the Honorable Brian Kemp was inaugurated as the 83rd Governor of the State of Georgia. Upon taking the oath of office, Brian Kemp became the third Republican to occupy the Governor's mansion since reconstruction.

Even before taking the oath of office, Brian was already making history, receiving more votes than any gubernatorial candidate in State history.

As with many of Georgia's Governors, Governor Kemp comes from a humble background. He was a small business owner, building his first construction business with a pickup and a shovel. With hard work and personal sacrifice, he grew that business and eventually became one of Georgia's successful entrepreneurs, responsible for several successful businesses.

When Brian became frustrated with the mismanagement of State government, he determined that, instead of just complaining, he would do something about it. He ran for a seat in the State senate, and in 2003, this young businessman from Athens was sworn in as a freshman senator from the 46th District.

Two years after Brian took office, I was elected to the State house of representatives and had the honor to work with him on several key legislative initiatives. I could always count on Brian, not only to be an ally, but to help perfect legislation as it moved through the State senate.

Brian was, and still is, a strong conservative with the ability to reach across the aisle to get things done for Georgians. During his time in the senate, Brian was instrumental in fighting to cut taxes, fees, and mandates on job creators and Georgia families.

In 2008, Brian left the State senate and returned to the private sector, but his heart never left serving his State and his community. In 2010, Governor Sonny Perdue called on Brian to return to public service, appointing him to serve as Georgia's secretary of state. Brian easily won reelection as secretary of state that same year and remained in that post until he resigned in November 2018.

As secretary of state, Brian wanted to ensure that Georgia elections were secure, accessible, and fair. In 2016, being a member of this body's Committee on Homeland Security, Brian asked me to work with him to ensure that Georgia's election data was secure from cyber threats.

During his tenure as secretary of state, Brian utilized technology and innovation to cut bureaucratic red tape, reduce spending, and streamline Georgia's government.

Brian is known around the State as a great businessman, a public servant, and a statesman. However, Brian will tell you, his most important job in life is being a husband and a father. Brian and his wife, Marty, have three daughters: Jarrett, Lucy, and Amy Porter. The Kemps are a family tightly bound by their strong faith, their commitment to public service, and a love for their community, their State, and their country.

From the backhoe to the boardroom, Brian Kemp understands how to successfully create jobs, recruit startups, grow companies, and make deals to provide opportunities for hardworking Georgians.

To communicate his commitment to further growing Georgia's thriving economy, and to ensure all Georgians have the opportunity to live, learn, and prosper, Governor Kemp has made the theme of his governorship ``Putting Georgians First.'' I believe Governor Brian Kemp will work for all Georgians, and I look forward to working with him as he leads Georgia forward.

Congratulations, Governor Kemp.

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