Georgia Official and Statistical Register 1983-84 - the Digital Library ...

Chapter IISTATE ELECTED OFFICESEXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTTHE GOVERNORThe Governor of the State of Georgia is a constitutionalofficer, recognised as such in all of the State Constitutions fromthe first of 1777 through the tenth of 1983. As the head of theExecutive Branch he is vested with many powers and chargedwith duties too numerous to be listed here. He is thecommander-in-chiefofthe National Guardand is the chief lawenforcement official of the State. By law he is ex-officio amember of many boards, bureaus, commissions and committees. The Governor has the power of veto over enactments ofthe General Assembly with the exception of ConstitutionalAmendments. The General Assembly does have the authorityto override a Governor©s veto. The Governor has five days,excluding Sundays, in which to approve bills received by himfrom the General Assembly while it is in Session. After theGeneral Assembly adjourns, he has thirty days, excluding Sundays, from the date of adjournment in which to approve or vetobills. If the Governor fails to approve or veto a bill within therequired time, the bill automatically becomes law without hissignature. The Governor makes appointments between sessions of the General Assembly to fill most appointive offices ingovernment, but all original appointments made by him mustbe confirmed by the Senate. He likewise appoints to fill unexpiredterms in most elective offices until the next regular orspecial election.The Governor is elected at a general election held on Tuesday, after the first Monday in November, in each fourth yearafter 1946. The Governor serves a four-year term and may seekre-election for one additional succeeding term. The term commences with the Governor©s inauguration which occurs duringthe first week of the General Assembly session which immediately follows the general election.Minimum eligibility requirements for the Office of Governorare U.S. citi/enship for fifteen years, legal residency of the Statefor six years immediately preceding the election and at leastthirty years of age.Authority and responsibilities of this Department are enumerated in OCGA, Title 45-12 and the State Constitution.HISTORY. The Office of Governor traces its origins tocolonial times. Although Oglethorpe, the first executive officerof the colony, had no official title, he is referred to as "ResidentTrustee". Those succeeding Oglethorpe during the Trusteeperiod were titled Presidents of the Colony of Georgia. The titleof Governor was first used during the Royal period. During theRevolutionary War, a provincial government came into powerand gubernatorial responsibilities shifted to the President of theCouncil of Safety. However, the Royal Governor and hiscouncil remained in office until 1776 when the Council ofSafety placed the Royal Governor (James Wright) under housearrest. Wright fled from Georgia but returned in 1779 and©continued as Governor of the British held portion of Georgiauntil 1782. The Constitution of 1777 provided for a governor tobe elected by the legislature, but greatly limited his authority.The Constitution of 1789 provided the Governor with vetopower over legislation. An 1824 amendment to the 1798 Constitution provided for the popular election of the Governor. Inthe case of death, resignation or disability of the Governor, allConstitutions since 1789 provided for executive power to passto the President of the Senate (the 1777 Constitution providedfor executive power to pass to the President of the ExecutiveCouncil). The Lieutenant Governor was designated as President of the Senate in the 1945 Constitution.Governor©s StaffThe Governor©s staff is responsible for providing a broadvariety of services to the executive branch of state government,the General Assembly, and the general public.Staff functions are varied and diverse and include policyanalysis, scheduling the Governor©s appointments, answeringhis correspondence, writing speeches and press releases, representing the Governor at functions when he is unable to attend,preparing executive orders and executive minutes and otherexecutive documents, processing criminal extraditions, processing resignations and other vacancies and appointments ofjudicial officials and executive officials, monitoring legislationand monitoring state programs for effectiveness and efficiency.The Governor©s staff also handles special projects andresearch for the Governor and must also maintain records onstate licensing and examining boards, regulatory commissions,and on other executive boards and commissions. In addition tohandling the day-to-day crisis concerning budget matters,agency problems, and human needs, the Governor©s staff provides information to the news media on the Governor©s activities and provides liaison with state agency heads, members ofthe General Assembly, local governments, Georgia©s Congressional and Senatorial offices. Executive Departments of otherstates, governments of other nations, and the general public.Joe Frank Harris. Cartersville.Governor of Georgia. Jan. 1983-date (term expires Jan. 1987). BornFeb. 16. 1936 in Bartow Co.. Ga.U. of Ga., BBA, 1958. Methodist.Democrat. US Army and US ArmyReserve 1958-64. Mbr.. House ofRep.. 1965-82. Chmn.. SouthernGrowth Policies Board. 1984-85.Family details: Married June25, 1961©in Bartow Co., Ga., Elizabeth K. Carlock (born Jan. 29. 1940 in Whitfield County,Ga.), daughter of Ernest D. Carlock and Minnie E. (Kehm)Carlock. Son: Joe Frank Harris, Jr. Governor Harris is theson of Frank G. Harris and Julia Frances (Morrow) Harris.Thomas K. Perdue. Stone Mountain. Chief Administrative OfficertoGov. Joe Frank Harris, Jan. II,1983-date. Born Sept. 11. 1947. inNew York City. N.Y.U. of Ga.,BBA. 1970. Kappa Sigma. Methodist. Democrat. USMC. RealEstate Broker. 1970-74. Admn.Asst., Office of the Governor, Nov.14, 1974-79; Exec. Secretary, ibid..Feb. 16. 1979-Jan. 10, 1983. Wife,former Mallory Irene Divine; I son.27