Representative Bill Hembree Chairman Higher Education 
 
Press Release 
 
CONTACT SHEET BIO E-MAIL LEGISLATION 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29, 2005 
 
CONTACT: Jenee' Burke (404) 656-0309 
jburke@legis.state.ga.us 
 
Representative Bill Hembree Proposes Resolution Calling for the Partisan Election of Judges 
 
ATLANTA--Last Night, Representative Bill Hembree (R-Douglasville) introduced a resolution to his fellow House Members that will call for the partisan election of judges. The resolution is Hembree's response to calls from his constituency for what they feel are abuses in today's judicial system. 
With the recent morally controversial issues flooding the state's courtrooms, Hembree felt that something needed to be done to rectify what he and his constituents feel are flaws in the judicial system. "Because of recent decisions by the court relating to Terry Schiavo and last year's judicial rulings concerning gay marriage, I feel that it is time to bring forth this important issue and allow the people to make their own decisions." 
Hembree further added that "no civilized society would allow an innocent person to die of starvation. Unfortunately, I feel that the judges that ruled in the Schiavo Case did just that. Therefore, action must be taken." 
"The legislation is aimed at restoring the equal balance of power among the three branches of government. The original system set up by our founding fathers called for three distinct branches of government, each with different powers. Our judicial system has been blurring those lines and becoming more legislative," Hembree remarked. 
The resolution states that all State Court Judges, Superior Court Judges, Judges of the Court of Appeals and Justices of the Supreme Court be elected in a partisan atmosphere. This will allow the citizens of Georgia to elect judges whom they feel best represent the ethics and values of their communities. Under today's guidelines, judges are elected in a non-partisan manner, making it difficult to see their real views on issues. 
Hembree's resolution will open up the field of debate and allow the electorate to understand who they are putting in office. The end result will hopefully be better judges and a restored sense of confidence in our form of government, especially that of our judicial branch.