Georgia’s House on Tuesday observed a moment of silence and received a resolution honoring the memory of Howard “Bo” Callaway, who became the state’s first Republican congressman since Reconstruction.

Known as the father of the Georgia Republican Party, Callaway, 86, died Saturday, nearly two years after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He helped his parents create the Callaway Gardens resort near Pine Mountain.

“Bo Callaway was a true patriot,” said state Rep. Joe Wilkinson, R-Atlanta. “He loved this state and he loved this country.”