- Collection:
- Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program
- Title:
- Oral history interview with Sonny Perdue, 2013 September 11
- Creator:
- Perdue, Sonny, 1946-
- Contributor to Resource:
- Steely, Mel
University of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program - Publisher:
- Carrollton, Ga. : University of West Georgia Special Collections in association with the Digital Library of Georgia
- Date of Original:
- 2013-09-11
- Subject:
- Georgia--Politics and government--1865-1950
Georgia--Politics and government--1951-
Governors--Georgia--Interviews
Legislators--Georgia--Interviews
Atlanta journal-constitution
Atlanta Public Schools
Georgia.Department of Motor Vehicle Safety
Dobbins Air Reserve Base (Ga.)
Emory University
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Georgia. Bureau of Investigation
Republican Governors Association
Georgia--Race relations
Georgia--Economic conditions
Tea Party movement
Perdue, Sonny, 1946---Interviews
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 - People:
- Perdue, Sonny, 1946-
Ayers, Nick
Bennecke, Paul
Bowers, Mike
Busbee, George, 1927-2004
Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-
Cox, Kathy, 1964-
Gingrich, Newt
Harris, Joe Frank
Isakson, Johnny, 1944-2021
Maddox, Lester, 1915-2003
McKinney, Cynthia, 1955-
Miller, Zell, 1932-2018
Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-2007
Obama, Barack
Ralston, David
Richardson, James Glenn
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002
Taylor, Mark, 1957-
Wilson, Bob, 1916- - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
moving images - Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III was born in Perry, Georgia on December 20, 1946. Perdue graduated from Warner Robins High School and then went on to attend the University of Georgia. In 1971, he earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine and then went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1974. After his career within the Air Force, Perdue practiced veterinary medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina before returning to Georgia and opening a small business in Bonaire, Georgia. His political career began as an elected member of the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board. In 1990, Perdue was elected to the state senate serving for eleven years--eight as a Democrat and three as a Republican. In 2000, Perdue sought and won the seat of Governor within Georgia, becoming the first Republican governor since Reconstruction.During his two terms as governor, Perdue faced a variety of challenges, including resolving the state flag controversy and managing the impact of a national economic recession. He also focused on education and school-system reform. Perdue left office in 2011 and became a founding partner at Perdue Partners, an Atlanta-based economic development firm specializing in global commodities trade and consulting services.; Interviewed by Dr. Mel Steely on September 11, 2013 at an unknown location.; Perdue begins the interview by discussing September 11, 2001. He talks about where he was when he received the news and his reactions. He also talks about the state's reactions and its effect on the recession and security. The conversation then turns to his actions as governor. He discusses education and the current controversy regarding the Atlanta Public Schools and Emory University. He discusses particularly about the Atlanta Public School scandal and the knowledge he had of these issues as governor, as well as his reactions. He talks about his other involvements with the educational system in his goal for the betterment of the system. He then talks about his relationship with Alabama over job opportunities for the state. He discusses various controversial issues that appeared throughout his governorship. These included the Voter ID Law and race issues within Georgia politics. He talks about the Max-Black plans and the redistributing of Georgia. He then discusses the current rise of the Tea Party and the benefits and downfall to their stance on politics. He talks about his controversial Prayer for Rain as governor and the creation of the Go Fishing program. He then discusses his relationship with the press and the run-ins over land conservation, as well as his relationships with the various Speakers of the House, the Georgia Legislature, and his two lieutenant governors throughout his governorship. He talks about his philosophy regarding the authority of the governor. He talks about his re-election in 2006 and his campaign strategy. He then discusses his view on ethics legislation which he argues needs a framework of trust. He then talks about his time as the Chairman of the GOP Governors' Association and his creation of a vision and four-year plan. He then turns to the benefits of foreign travel as governor and its benefit to the job market. He talks about his relationships with national politicians, including presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. They conclude by discussing Perdue's thoughts on what he achieved as governor and how it changed him.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:uwg_phc_purdue20130911
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/uwg/phc/do:perdue20130911
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [interview title], Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, University of West Georgia
- Extent:
- 1 interview (circa 71 mins.)
- Original Collection:
- Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, State University of West Georgia
- Holding Institution:
- University of West Georgia. Special Collections
- Rights:
-
