Tributes poured in after news of former Georgia governor and U.S. senator Zell Miller's passing.
"We will remember Zell as the governor who gave Georgia Hope, a true statesman who helped build the foundation that allowed our state to prosper," said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who hopes to follow Miller's path from lieutenant governor to the mansion on W. Paces Ferry Road this fall. "Through his passion for education, love for the people of our state, and dedication to giving Georgians the same opportunities that led a boy from a small mountain town to become one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century, Miller leaves a legacy that will always be honored and celebrated.
"All of Georgia’s families and communities will feel the benefits of his dedicated service for generations to come, and he will continue to set an example for what public service should be about," Cagle said.
“I do not know of anyone who impacted the lives of Georgians more than Zell," said Georgia U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. "His Marine Corps values of patriotism and loyalty guided his career in service to his state and his country."
Isakson and Miller’s relationship extended many years in Georgia. In 1990, Miller and Isakson both ran for governor of Georgia. Miller won, and the two forged a positive working and personal relationship.
In 1996, following a period of turmoil at the State Board of Education, Miller appointed Isakson chairman of the board. Isakson led the board until 1999, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Isakson again crossed paths with Miller following Miller’s decision not to seek reelection to the U.S. Senate. Isakson won Miller’s former U.S. Senate seat in 2004.
“Zell Miller touched the lives of many as a teacher, Marine, public servant, and friend," said Georgia U.S. Sen. David Perdue. "Throughout his career, Zell Miller was a strong advocate for the value of a public education and made it his mission to ensure Georgia students had the opportunity to pursue a college degree.
"Because of his work on the HOPE Scholarship Program, over 1.8 million Georgians have been able to attend a public college or university in Georgia who may not have been able to otherwise. His legacy will live on through them.”
READ | Zell Miller dead at 86
"Georgia has lost a favorite son and a true statesman, and I've lost a dear friend," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "Zell’s legacy is unequaled and his accomplishments in public service are innumerable. Without question, our state and our people are better off because of him.
"But the mark Zell made in his private life - as a dutiful son, a loving husband, and a proud father and grandfather - are the ones of which I’m sure he was most proud. I was honored to serve with him in the senate and have cherished his counsel for decades."
More reaction:
"Zell Miller’s passing marks a sad day in Georgia. His record shows he always put Georgia and the country’s interests above loyalty to party, a characteristic all of us in political life should emulate."
-- Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul
“I am so saddened to learn of Zell Miller’s death. He was a strong and independent voice for Georgia whose legacy will live on in the hope he inspired in close to a million scholarship students. He and Shirley lived their lives with a deep commitment to public service and an abiding love for our state. His friendship and support was a great honor to me and so many others who enjoyed it over the years. I will always relish the opportunity to sit with him on the front porch of his old stone house in Young Harris, built by his mother, and beloved until the end by a unique and historic Georgian.”
-- Michelle Nunn
"Gov. Miller’s vision to establish a lottery in Georgia with profits earmarked for specific educational programs has made an indelible mark on our state. On behalf of the Georgia Lottery Corporation board, employees, and most importantly, Georgia’s students, we are grateful for Governor Miller’s foresight and leadership. Thanks to him more than 3 million students have benefitted from HOPE and Pre-K,”
-- Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin
“Governor Zell Miller leaves behind an enduring legacy as a bold and brave leader. His efforts championing education set real opportunity within reach of so many citizens of our state through the creation of the HOPE scholarship and our nation’s first pre-kindergarten program, and we are all inspired by the unwavering values which characterized this statesman’s career."
-- Secretary of State Brian Kemp
"The staff of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and I were deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of Gov. Zell Miller. His commitment to education as demonstrated by creating the lottery funded Georgia’s Pre-K Program is legend in our state and beyond. In the early days of Georgia Pre-K, Governor and Mrs. Miller gave every student a copy of one of his favorite books, The Little Engine That Could. Today, Governor, you don't need to say, “I think I can, I think I can.” Instead you can proudly, boldly, and honestly say, “I did.” On behalf of the millions of children who have benefited from his vision, I thank Zell Miller for the immeasurable legacy of Georgia’s Pre-K Program."
-- Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs
