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A portrait of former Speaker David Ralston, who represented Gilmer County in the legislature, will hang at the entrance of the House chamber.
(By Glenn Harbison, News-Observer) — “A story seldom told is a story soon forgotten, and Speaker Ralston’s story will surely be told for generations to come,” Speaker Jon Burns told the crowd that filled the House Chamber under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.
Current and former elected officials, family and friends gathered Thursday, March 14, on the 35th day of the current legislative session for the unveiling of David Ralston’s portrait that now hangs outside the entrance to the House Chamber.
The day marked what would have been the late statesman’s 70th birthday. Ralston served as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives for 13 years and represented the 7th District for over 20 years.
Former Gov. Nathan Deal said Ralston had wisdom, a trait Deal defined as, “Common sense that has been marinated by experience.”
Ralston served as House Speaker during Deal’s eight years as governor from 2011 to 2019.
“You knew you could depend on him,” Deal said. The former governor said all governors will “tell you you need a strong Speaker ... whose word is reliable,” which described Ralston.
Gov. Brian Kemp said, “(Ralston) was a fighter who always showed respect ... This portrait will serve as a lasting reminder of both what he accomplished during his years of public service and our shared memories with him.”
Burns said, “Speaker Ralston left an indelible mark on our state as a champion for rural Georgia and through his bipartisan work.”
Ralston’s ability to “reach across the aisle” for the good of all Georgians was exemplified in comments by Democratic State Senator Josh McLaurin.
McLaurin told of the type of heartburn often felt by all members of the minority party in both the state House and Senate, but that feeling was remedied by, “A measure of caring about the institution of the General Assembly and the House that Speaker Ralston held dear that made it worth it for everybody to serve.”
Spiro Amburn, who worked for Ralston and the House of Representatives for 14 years, said, “As a Fannin County native, it was a great honor and privilege to work for Speaker David Ralston and the House of Representatives. I am grateful for many opportunities to give back to this area that gave so much to me.
“David was a mentor and friend, and it was a very special day of tribute. His legacy is now memorialized through a magnificent portrait in the State Capitol for generations to come.
“His impact on House District 7 and the entire state of Georgia cannot be overstated. As the second-longest serving House Speaker in Georgia history, this will likely never be replicated from this community. I know that I speak for all staff from House District 7 and all who worked under his leadership when I say that the many tributes in his honor are appreciated and a testament to a job well done in public service,” Amburn said.
Officials honor Ralston with namings
Georgia legislators in both the state Senate and House have passed measures to honor the late David Ralston.
The most recent of these was a Senate Resolution asking the University of North Georgia and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to name the new academic building on the University of North Georgia Blue Ridge Campus the David Ralston Hall.
Senators voted overwhelmingly in favor of the measure March 14, which would have been Ralston’s 70th birthday.
51st District State Senator Steve Gooch said he introduced the resolution because, “That whole campus in Blue Ridge is there solely because of David.”
Gooch cited Ralston’s “insistence in giving back to the region that he loved so much” as the driving force behind the creation and growth of the campus. “Look at so many students who now have the opportunity to further their education thanks to David,” Gooch said.
The resolution said, “Speaker Ralston is known as the ‘father’ of the Blue Ridge campus. It recognizes the fact Ralston, “Was instrumental in several enhancements and expansion projects at the University of North Georgia.”
Everything Ralston did was “all about progress and moving in the right direction,” Gooch said.
Gooch said naming the building was something he wanted to do, “before David even got sick.” But true to his always humble approach, Ralston respectfully declined the idea.
In the State House, a resolution to honor Ralston through the naming of roads and bridges was passed Feb. 29.
The measure was introduced by Rick Jasperse, Johnny Chastain, Jon Burns and others.
The resolution recognized Ralston as “a distinguished native son of North Georgia ... who dedicated his life to the service of the citizens of Gilmer and Fannin counties.”
It cites Ralston’s leadership beginning with his election to the State Senate in 1992 and continuing through his House service until his untimely passing in 2022.
The resolution calls for the McCaysville Bypass in Fannin County to be named the Speaker David E. Ralston Interstate Connector and names the new bridge to be built over the Toccoa/Ocoee River as the Speaker David E. Ralston Memorial Bridge.
In addition, State Route 52 in Gilmer County from Aaron Road west to the Murray County line will be dedicated as the Speaker David E. Ralston Memorial Highway.