Governor George Dekle Busbee

GEORGE DEKLE BUSBEE was born in Vienna, Georgia, in 1927. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Duke University, and the University of Georgia. Following service in the U.S. Navy, he graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949. After receiving his law degree in 1952, Busbee moved to Albany, Georgia, and opened a law office. He won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1956 and was reelected for nine terms. From 1963 to 1965, he served as assistant administration floor leader and as administration floor leader in 1966. In 1967, he served as the first majority leader of the House and was reelected three times. He was elected governor in 1974 and reelected in 1978. Governor Busbee chaired the National Governors Association from 1981-1982 and of the Southern Growth Policies Board.