FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 5, 2010

Contact: Sen. Tim Golden, 404-656-7580 or tim.golden@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Golden on Georgia Trend's '100 Most Influential' again

ATLANTA – State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) has been recognized for the second consecutive year as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians in the 12th annual list published by Georgia Trend magazine.

In its January 2010 issue, the magazine reported: “In his 20 years in the Georgia legislature, Golden has become known as a strong advocate for Georgia business and children’s healthcare issues. Golden, who chairs the Senate Democratic Caucus, serves as secretary of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and co-chairs the Senate Study Committee on the Future of Manufacturing in Georgia.”

Golden is one of only four current state senators who made the list, along with Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton) and Senate President Pro-tem Tommie Williams (R-Lyons). Only two current members of the House of Representatives – Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) and Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) – were recognized.

The names on the list were selected by Georgia Trend’s editorial staff and include “people from business and industry, politics and government, science and education, philanthropy, healthcare – men and women helping guide the state during the roughest economic patch in decades.”

In recognition of his work on children’s healthcare issues, the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatricians named Golden as “Legislator of the Year” in 2007. He was also recognized by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as “Legislator of the Year” for 2007, and the group called it a “Lifetime Achievement” award for his long time advocacy of business interests in the General Assembly. The same year, the Georgia Industry Association made Golden their “Champion of Industry” for his efforts to promote manufacturing issues in Georgia.

Golden was re-elected in 2008 to his sixth term in the Senate, following eight years in the House of Representatives. Golden is secretary of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for the state budget, and is a senior member of the influential Senate Finance Committee, which handles tax-related legislation. He also serves on the Higher Education, Insurance & Labor and Government Oversight committees. Golden is chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus and is co-chair of the Senate Study Committee on Manufacturing in Georgia.

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Sen. Tim Golden represents District 8 (Brooks, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas counties) in the Georgia State Senate. During the legislative session, contact him at 121-A State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. 30334; by phone at 404-656-7580 or by e-mail at tim.golden@senate.ga.gov.