Here are some of the things people who worked with the late Zell Miller had to say about the man and his influence on Georgia.
Georgia has lost a favorite son and a true statesmen, and I've lost a dear friend. Zell's legacy is unequaled and his accomplishments in public service are innumerable. Without question, our state and our people are better off because of him. But the mark Zell made in his private life — as a dutiful son, a loving husband, and a proud father and grandfather — are the ones of which I'm sure he was most proud. I was honored to serve with him in the Senate and have cherished his counsel for decades.
— Gov. Nathan Deal
He's the real deal. He's all Marine all the time. All patriot all the time. Always focused on the job. A lot of fun to be with. Tough to deal with. Just a great individual. … "I learned a lot from him. The fact that we ran against each other never came between us. The more we got to know each other the closer we became. I just consider him one of the great friends I've been lucky enough to have in life and I'm very thankful I had the chance to get to know him … In terms of politics, Zell was a Democrat from his date of birth to his passing, but he was also independent. He had an independent streak in him and was not going to just roll over and let somebody roll over him if he didn't think it was right, whether they were Democrat or Republican.
— U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who ran against Miller for governor in 1990, and later replaced him in the Senate.
"(I) first met Zell Miller in 1964. He was always friendly, honest and hard working. He is (a) legend of public service and a life worth studying"
— Newt Gingrich, former Georgia congressman and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, on Twitter
A son of the mountains of North Georgia, he dedicated his life to this country, and to Georgia, as a veteran and faithful public servant. His legacy as a state legislator, lieutenant governor, governor, and U.S. senator, particularly in expanding educational opportunities for Georgia students, will resonate for generations to come. We have no doubt that in Heaven, the Marine is having a feisty debate with some of his old friends right now. Mary and I are praying for Shirley, the entire Miller family, and Zell's many friends. May he rest in peace."
— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue
It was my privilege to serve as a member of Zell's floor leader team in the '90s. The creation of HOPE to encourage academic excellence and support students to go to college was a hallmark of his career. We still fight today to strengthen and preserve HOPE. That's a testament to the dedication he had to the children of the state. The first term of Gov. Zell Miller saw great achievements for which he will be remembered.
— Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta
You can step foot on any campus of the University System of Georgia and feel the immediate and lasting impact of Governor Zell Miller's legacy. We see it every day in the thousands of students enrolled in our world-class institutions with help from the HOPE Scholarship. The child of two teachers, Governor Miller knew education could transform lives for the better.
— University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley
He was my mentor. … We truly lost a giant today. We're going to miss him. He had this innate ability to think big, and he did that. You think of the thousands upon thousands of children in school today, the HOPE scholarship, public safety, he was huge on that, he built a lot of prisons in the state.
I remember one time he called me when I was corrections commissioner and he said 'Garner, I want to ask you something, and if I have to ask it again it won't be you I'm talking to.
— Wayne Garner, a MIller protege and friend who hung around with Miller socially, worked with him while serving in the state Senate and was later his prisons commissioner.
Zell Miller was a true statesman. I had the honor of riding with Zell Miller to get the first lottery ticket. He was a guy that let you know how he felt on various issues. He was one that was very concientious in what he believed in. … I've met very few public servants that were as well rounded as Zell Miller …. The HOPE was such a major political issue on the political horizon when he did it. Many people thought it could not be done, but Zell must get due credit because he hit the pavement, he went around the state to get the constitutional amendment passed.
Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, the longest-serving member of the Georgia General Assembly who worked with Miller on the HOPE Scholarship
Zell Miller helped shape Georgia into one of the strongest states in the union. He was a national giant from northeast Georgia, and I looked up to him as a leader who never blinked in the face of a challenge or let politics eclipse his principles. I'll always remember the ways in which he encouraged and supported me through many seasons. My family knew, admired and will miss Zell as a true man of the mountains. Our prayers are focused on his loved ones and the millions of Georgians whom he served.
— U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville
He was a strong and independent voice for Georgia whose legacy will live on in the hope he inspired in close to a million scholarship students. He and Shirley lived their lives with a deep commitment to public service and an abiding love for our state. His friendship and support was a great honor to me and so many others who enjoyed it over the years. I will always relish the opportunity to sit with him on the front porch of his old stone house in Young Harris, built by his mother, and beloved until the end by a unique and historic Georgian.
— Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE (and 2014 Democratic Senate candidate)
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