DALTON (Jan. 6, 2010) – State Senator Don Thomas (R-Dalton) was named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend, a popular business and political magazine. He was selected for this honor because of his leadership in the Georgia legislature and the medical community of Dalton. He serves as the chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and has been a practicing physician for almost 50 years.
“I am humbled to have been selected as one of the most influential people in Georgia by Georgia Trend,” said Thomas. “I look forward to continue working with the rest of the legislature for a better, safer Georgia in 2010.”
Each year, Georgia Trend chooses 100 Georgians as the most influential people in the state. Each person selected is a leader in government, public policy, politics, business, education and/or the judiciary. Their influence is wielded for the betterment of Georgia and its citizens.
Sen. Thomas currently serves as chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, secretary of the Education and Youth Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations, Ethics and Rules Committees. He has successfully fought to require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Georgia schools and work places. In an effort to improve stroke care and treatment in Georgia, he authored the Coverdell-Murphy Act to help rural hospitals provide better care for stroke patients. In addition, Senator Thomas worked tirelessly to pass the Smoke Free Air Act in 2005. Currently, he is working to pass Senate Bill 5 which would repeal the seatbelt exemption for pick-up trucks. Georgia is the only state left with this type of exemption. A change in the seat belt law to include pickup trucks could save Georgia taxpayers an estimated $25 million in Medicaid costs and make the state eligible for federal grant money to improve transportation.
Sen. Thomas and his wife, Emma Jean, reside in Dalton. They have eight children, nineteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-6436 or by e-mail at don.thomas@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 6, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028