News release, Feb. 25, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

February 25, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARTER, MILLER AND POYTHRESS HONORED BY LABOR DEPARTMENT

DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CEREMONY

ATLANTA -- A former president, a governor and a former state labor commissioner were among the Georgians honored by the Georgia Department of Labor Wednesday during a Black History Month awards ceremony. Cited were former President Jimmy Carter, Gov. Zell Miller and former State Labor Commissioner David Poythress.

"Each year, our department honors outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to society," State Labor Commissioner Marti Fullerton said. "This year, we honor Georgians who have made contributions from the local to the international level. Because of their work, dedication to serving the public and determination to make a difference in the lives of all people, our world is a much better place in which to live."

Carter, a former Georgia governor and 39th president of the U.S., now heads the Carter Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that addresses national and international issues of public policy. He was honored for his contributions to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the U.S. and other countries renovate and build homes for themselves.

Miller, in the last year of his second term as governor, was honored for his establishment of the HOPE scholarship program in 1993. The program, financed by the lottery, made Georgia the only state in the U.S. where a student who earns a "B" average in high school, and maintains that average after high school, can receive free tuition at a public college or technical institute of his or her choice. Since the program began, more than 300,000 students have received more than $425 million in financial aid.

Poythress, who recently resigned after serving five years as labor commissioner, was honored for first introducing Black History Month celebrations to state government. In 1980, as Secretary of State, he sponsored the first Black History Month celebration. As commissioner of labor, he re-introduced the celebration at the department in 1993.

Others cited include Thomas W. Dortch Jr., president and chief executive officer of TWD, Inc., an Atlanta-based consulting firm, who received a distinguished service award for his contributions to business and public service; Matthew Avant of LaGrange, an unemployment insurance tax auditor with the labor department, for community service; Church Elder Carter Peek of Atlanta, a retired training specialist with the department, for his humanitarian efforts; and Priscilla Dorsey of Lithonia, who received an outstanding citizenship award.

The keynote speech at the award ceremony was delivered by Thurbert E. Baker, Georgia's first African-American attorney general, and Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney of Atlanta, was a special guest.

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