Steely, MelUniversity of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History ProgramUnited States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-20071997-07-14Thomas Bailey "Tom" Murphy (1924-2007) was born in Bremen, Georgia on March 10, 1924, and lived there for most of his life. After graduating from North Georgia College in Dahlonega he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the south Pacific during World War II. After returning home he earned a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1949, and returned home to practice law with his older brother James. In 1960, Murphy was elected to represent his hometown and the surrounding area as a Democrat in the state legislature, where he remained until defeated in 2002. In the state House of Representatives, Murphy served as Governor Lester Maddox's floor leader from 1967-1970, and as Speaker pro tem from 1970-1973. He was elected Speaker in 1973 and became the longest serving House Speaker of any U.S. state legislature. Murphy held power using hardball politics, closely controlling the state's finances and redistricting every ten years. He was instrumental to the growth of Atlanta, and Georgia, having a hand in transportation, economic, and building issues. He was defeated by Bill Heath in 2002, unable to hold back a Republican tide any longer. Murphy suffered a stroke in 2004, and died in December 2007.The interview took place in at Murphy's Bremen, Georgia office on July 14, 1997 with Dr. Mel Steely.This interview covers the span of Murphy's rise to power in the House from 1962 to 1977. He talks about his time serving on the floor as well as his relationships with other Georgia politicians, including Lester Maddox and Jimmy Carter. He talks about his appointment of the health and sanitation committee. He discusses his philosophy regarding the Speakership, which involved appointing strong Chairmen and work with them to form a solution to an issue rather than dominate the office. He says that the thing he remembers most about his first year as Speaker is his insistence to find the best possible chairmen for committees so that he didn't have to micromanage them. Murphy also discusses his relationship with the press and the Atlanta Journal.application/pdfengGeorgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, State University of West Georgiahttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Georgia--Politics and government--1865-1950Georgia--Politics and government--1951-Legislators--Georgia--InterviewsNorth Georgia College--Alumni and alumnae--InterviewsGeorgia. General Assembly. House of Representatives--Speakers--InterviewsAtlanta Journal ConstitutionPress and politics--GeorgiaWorld War, 1939-1945--Veterans--InterviewsTranscript of oral history interview with Speaker Tom Murphy, 1997 July 14Text