Senate reader part of ‘crew’ that helps Legislature work

He reads each new bill in the Georgia Senate like an auctioneer, the words rolling off his tongue in a sing-song chant.

Kevin Holder, 25, a recent graduate of Georgia State University, is the Senate reading clerk.

Each day he puts on his reading glasses and engages in a high-speed call and response with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

The former college DJ races through a bill’s particulars, and Cagle quickly cuts him off —- sending the bill to a committee. That is Holder’s queue to jump to the next bill, and the torrent of words starts again.

Holder has read more than 800 Senate bills and resolutions so far. In the final 10 business days of the legislative session he’ll read scores more coming from the House. He’ll begin again on Tuesday when the Senate reconvenes after a four-day break.

Holder, a political science major, is one of a half-dozen clerks who work on the secretary of the Senate’s “crew” during the session.

The group of recent college graduates earns $100 per day copying, filing and distributing bills in the secretary of the Senate’s office in the state Capitol.

Bob Ewing, secretary of the Senate, was on the crew himself years ago.

Many of his employees have an interest in public service and politics.

“A lot of times it’s their foot in the door,” Ewing said.

Some former crew members have gone on to more high-profile public jobs. State Rep. Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna) worked the crew before he attended law school. His job was to run messages between the Senate and House chambers.

On busy days he would wear a suit and tennis shoes, the better to run with, Teilhet said.

Former Gov. Zell Miller worked the crew in 1965. He already had served two terms in the state Senate and had lost a congressional bid.

“I thought my political career was over,” Miller said. “It was a way to put bread on my family’s table.”

Back then there wasn’t a specific bill reader. Either the secretary read the bills, or whomever was around, Miller said. Ten years later, in 1975, Miller came back to preside over the Senate as lieutenant governor.

Nowadays, the work of the secretary’s office is divided more clearly.

Holder was chosen to read aloud in front of the Senate every day.

“The sound —- it was very clear,” Senate clerk Megan Tackett said of Holder’s delivery.

“I do like to be able to pronounce words,” Holder said.

As a child he took to books and looked up new words in the dictionary to learn their origin and pronunciation.

The Clayton County resident used to fear public speaking, but he got over it with the help of a college class.

Holder views the actions of the Senate each day from a perch close to Cagle.

At least one face in the Senate is familiar. His neighbor is state Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale). “He and his family are upstanding pillars of the community,” Seay said.

Holder got his job on his own, though, Seay said.

After the session ends in April, Holder and the other crew members will be out of a job.

He’s applying to programs for a master’s in public policy.

“Ultimately, someday, I’d like to be in politics,” he said.