Tyrone Brooks' farewell to the Legislature: 'WE SHALL OVERCOME'
State Rep. Tyrone Brooks' 35 year career in the state Legislature came to an abrupt end Thursday just before he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges.
Our AJC colleague Aaron Gould Sheinin has the backstory on the 30 charges of wire, tax and mail fraud related to his work with a pair of charities.
Brooks had hinted that this session might be his last, but he made certain of it with the below letter delivered Thursday to Deal's office.
April 9, 2015
Honorable Nathan Deal
Governor of Georgia
State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Governor Deal,
After 35 enjoyable and successful years in the Georgia House of Representatives, I have decided
to shift my priorities and transition back to fulltime Civil Human Rights work. I have decided to make the Moore's Ford Bridge Lynching's in Monroe, GA, my number #1 priority.
After leading the 12th Annual March on The Bridge on Saturday, April 4th, commemorating the 47th Anniversary of my Leader and Hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I made my final decision on Easter Sunday at the square in downtown Covington while remembering the 1970 movement, where I was almost killed by Sheriff Henry Odum Jr. Moore's Ford is special because it's been a part of my life since 1968. As you know, it was on Dr. King's agenda from 1946 to 1968. So many of my colleagues involved in this movement have just recently passed including: Mr. Ed Brown, Camilla, GA, Mr. Ralph Ivey, Social Circle, GA, and Rev. Clarence Grier Jr., former Pastor 1st African Baptist Church, Monroe, Georgia. Additionally, Mr. Robert Howard is presently suffering from Alzheimer's/Dementia plus many more others are declining in health. Other Moore's Ford suspects and witness are also passing away rapidly. That's why I have to devote all my time and energy to this movement before my time is up. Plus, we are raising a 2 month old, 5 year old, and 6 year old and a 17 year old.
Therefore I am hereby resigning from House District 55, immediately effective today.
Peace and Justice
WE SHALL OVERCOME
Tyrone Brooks
cc. Honorable David Ralston
Speaker, GA House of Representatives
About the Author
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
