ATLANTA (January 12, 2009) – State Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) was elected Senate president pro tempore today on the first day of the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly.
“My Senate colleagues have shown me great support today by electing me to serve as their president pro tempore, and I am humbled by their vote of confidence,” said Sen. Williams. “I have the greatest respect for every member of the Senate, and am proud of the bipartisan spirit that our chamber embodies. This year it will be crucial to put party politics aside and work together in the best interest of all Georgians.”
After serving 11 years in the Senate, Sen. Williams was nominated for pro tem by his peers during the Republican caucus elections in November. Sen. Williams becomes the 67th president pro tem in the history of Georgia, the Senate’s second-highest ranking position after the lieutenant governor. The president pro tem assumes responsibilities in the absence of the lieutenant governor, and speaks on behalf of the entire Senate and the state of Georgia.
Sen. Williams has served the Senate as majority leader since 2005, working with the president pro tem and lieutenant governor to develop successful policy decisions and serving as the primary spokesperson for the majority party. Among his numerous committee assignments, Sen. Williams served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Assignments and as vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
During the 2008 session, Sen. Williams passed two pieces of important legislation for Georgia. The first made significant reforms to the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws, giving patients a chance to maximize the full potential of healthcare providers, increasing competition and innovation, as well as allowing for an innovative cancer treatment center to come to Georgia. He also passed a measure to help failing colleges and universities across the state regain accreditation status.
Sen. Williams was also named to several influential committees, including Finance, where he will serve as vice chairman, Appropriations, Regulated Industries and Utilities, Rules, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Education and Youth, and State Institutions and Property.
For more information about the Georgia State Senate, please visit www.senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Tommie Williams serves as President Pro Tempore. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties. He can be reached at 404.656.0089 or by email at tommie.williams@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028