They praised former Gov. Carl Sanders' political accomplishments, trumpeted his civil rights legacy and hailed his business acumen. And they said Georgia politicians could learn plenty from his service in office and his accomplishments after his defeat.
The former governor died Sunday at the age of 89. You can find one of our favorite memories of Sanders here. And below we've compiled statements and comments from some of Georgia's leading figures.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta. The family has asked that donations in memory of Gov. Sanders be made to either the Metropolitan YMCA or the University of Georgia Law School.
Former Gov. Roy Barnes:
"We owe much to Carl Sanders. While the rest of the South fought integration of the public schools with threats of closing all public education, Carl Sanders, with a steady hand and a cool head, guided Georgia through this very difficult time in our history. The prosperous Georgia we know today was a result of the leadership of Carl Sanders."
Gov. Nathan Deal:
Former President Jimmy Carter, who defeated Sanders in 1970:
"Carl Sanders was an outstanding governor of Georgia, a champion of education, and a courageous proponent of ending racial segregation in our state. I was proud of his service when I was in the state senate, and continued to pursue many of his notable policies when I became governor. Rosalynn and I extend our sincere condolences and prayers to his wife, Betty, and to his family and friends."
Sen. Johnny Isakson, when asked what Georgia politicians can learn from Sanders:
"That education is important. That leadership is important. And that humility is important. Carl sanders was elected governor and he lost re-election, but he came back and served his state well in many capacities. He was a great man."
Chris Clark, president of the Georgia Chamber:
"The Georgia we know today would not exist without the leadership of giants like Governor Carl Sanders. His commitment to improving education, investing in infrastructure, and modernizing state government - as well as his progressive position on civil rights - laid a sound foundation upon which we have continued to build and grow."
Robert Webb, chairman of Troutman Sanders, the law firm that Sanders founded:
"As a young teenager growing up during Carl Sanders term as Governor of Georgia, I was in awe of the courage and the leadership he exhibited in the early 1960's when he was the only governor in the Deep South to progressively lead his State to embrace equality and civil rights for all. His other well documented accomplishments as Governor in substantially expanding and advancing transportation and education and producing a budget surplus for the State were certainly impressive, but what I most admired was the strength of character which he displayed in supporting the Civil Rights movement in a place and at a time where that was not an easy thing to do."
Former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell:
"Carl could always be depended upon to adhere to the dictates of his surroundings, whether to his family, the profession of law, his political party and basic good manners. A breach I do recall, however, was when his political opponents tagged him as 'Cufflink Carl' - the intended stigma he overcame by chewing gum on TV."
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