ATLANTA — Former Georgia U.S. Sen. and Secretary of State Max Cleland died Tuesday at the age of 79.
The Washington Post reported Cleland, who also served as head of the U.S. Veterans Administration, died at his home in Atlanta from congestive heart failure.
President Joe Biden called Cleland “an American hero whose fearless service to our nation, and to the people of his beloved home state of Georgia, never wavered.”
On April 8, 1968, during the Vietnam War, Cleland lost his right forearm arm and both legs after a grenade exploded near his unit during the Battle of Khe Sanh. The grenade had fallen off a flak jacket of one of Cleland’s fellow soldiers during a helicopter landing.
“As a 25-year-old serving in the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Max lost both of his legs and his right arm in a grenade explosion at Khe Sanh,” Biden said. “After grueling months in the hospital, enduring multiple surgeries and a long road back to recovery, Max turned his pain into purpose.”
Cleland returned to Georgia after his injuries, and served as a state senator from 1971 to 1975. He was the administrator of the U.S. Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981.
Cleland then served 14 years as Georgia secretary of state from 1982 to 1996. When longtime Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn retired, Cleland ran for the seat, defeating Republican Guy Millner. Cleland and Biden served together at that time.
Cleland served one term in the Senate, losing his seat in 2002 to Republican Saxby Chambliss.
“He continued his distinguished public service, becoming a lifelong champion of the dignity and rights of working people and America’s wounded veterans,” Biden said. “His leadership was the essential driving force behind the creation of the modern VA health system, where so many of his fellow heroes have found lifesaving support and renewed purpose of their own thanks in no small part to Max’s lasting impact.”
Cleland supported fellow Vietnam vet John Kerry in his 2004 presidential bid. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Cleland to serve as secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Cleland served in that position until Obama left office.
Upon news of Cleland’s passing, tributes immediately began pouring in from elected officials and others across the country.
Senator Max Cleland sometimes quoted Nietzsche – “To live is to suffer. To survive is to find meaning in the suffering." What happened to Senator Cleland in Vietnam could have destroyed him, but he used it to find purpose during a lifetime of public service. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/pBjlu5H2PI
“Senator Cleland was a hero, a patriot, a public servant, and a friend. His advice as I entered the Senate and in the early months of my tenure have been invaluable. Georgia and the nation will deeply miss him. Alisha and I are keeping Senator Cleland’s family in our prayers.” — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.
“Marty, the girls, and I join Georgians in mourning the loss of a great patriot, Max Cleland. Senator Cleland’s service to our state, nation, and his fellow veterans was defined by his optimism, grit, and determination to give hardworking Georgians a better chance to achieve the American dream. Max’s example of persevering through adversity will continue to inspire generations of Georgians for years to come.” — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
“Max Cleland was a hero of mine. I am very sad we have lost such an amazing American. He said. ‘To live is to suffer. To survive is to find meaning in the suffering.’ ” — U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
RIP Max Cleland. I bought your book in 2009 & I thank you for it & for your courage on so many fronts. I will never forgive the @GOP for how they worked so hard to trash you. Fair Winds. #Respectpic.twitter.com/myMBZVZRfH
“U.S. Senator Max Cleland was a great American and a great Georgian. He served our nation honorably both abroad and domestically. I’m grateful to have been able to call him a friend and will miss his leadership and wisdom.” — Robb Pitts, chairman, Fulton County Commission
“U.S. Senator Max Cleland will be deeply missed. He was a pillar in the Democratic Party, a defender of democracy, and an advocate for our veterans. A treasure has moved on to glory. Praying for his family and friends and all those whose lives he touched.” — Felicia Moore, Atlanta City Council president, mayoral candidate
“Senator Cleland epitomized the values of service and patriotism. As a Georgian and as the daughter of a veteran, I know that our nation is better for his leadership. Praying for his family and loved ones.” — State Sen. Jen Jordan, D-Atlanta
Senator Max Cleland sometimes quoted Nietzsche – “To live is to suffer. To survive is to find meaning in the suffering." What happened to Senator Cleland in Vietnam could have destroyed him, but he used it to find purpose during a lifetime of public service. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/pBjlu5H2PI
“U.S. Senator Max Cleland sacrificed for and served Georgia and our nation with true integrity. He defended democracy, spoke up for veterans and embodied a quiet dignity that lifted all who knew him. God’s peace to his family and friends as he takes rest from his labors.” — Stacey Abrams, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate
Max Cleland was a true hero, a remarkable and honorable statesman and friend who was in the Georgia Senate from 1971-1975. He was a tireless advocate for veterans who never stopped serving his fellow citizens. He was loved, and he will be missed. #gapol
“The nation has lost a true giant of public service, and Georgia has lost one of our fiercest champions. My prayers are with Senator Cleland’s family and all those who loved him. Senator Cleland was a passionate patriot with a big heart for our veterans, and he always put the people of Georgia first. Georgians will long remember and admire his honorable life, legacy and contributions to our state and nation.” — U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia
“The indefatigable Senator Max Cleland of Lithonia, Georgia, was a giant of a human being who, in overcoming all adversity, showed us how to build a winning life. Although our paths did not cross frequently, often when we saw each other Max would grab me and bestow a big hug, and I would hug him right back. Highly accomplished, Max also exuded warmth and positivity, and treated all with kindness. I salute Max for a life well lived, and we will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his entire family.” — U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Stone Mountain
Heartbroken at the death of our beloved war hero and Senator Max Cleland. Despite sacrificing 3 limbs in Vietnam he was maligned by the right, and implored Democrats to defend our patriots as he led the creation of our “Fighting Dems” and @DNCVetsMilFams Council. #RIPMaxClelandpic.twitter.com/DL6UrpaQtq
“Senator Max Cleland was an American hero who overcame unimaginable adversity and dedicated his life to serving others. His patriotism, commitment to public service, and love for Georgia were unmatched, and his contributions to our state and nation – particularly for our servicemembers, veterans, and their families – will be felt for generations to come. All Georgians join Senator Cleland’s family, friends, and those who loved him in mourning his passing. He will be truly missed.” — U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
ATLANTA – A federal appeals court has halted enforcement of the White House’s employer vaccine mandate a day after Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr filed a lawsuit against the requirement.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana issued an emergency stay Saturday on President Joe Biden’s mandate that businesses with 100 or more workers be required to vaccinate their workers by Jan. 4, 2022, or face mask requirements and regular tests.
Last week, Kemp, Carr and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black filed a separate lawsuit against Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors.
Friday’s lawsuit claimed the vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more workers exceeds the U.S. Department of Labor’s authority and conflicts with the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The mandate was set to be enforced by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
Georgia joined Florida and Alabama, along with several private employers, in filing the lawsuit in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Georgia Highway Contractors Association, the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and Robinson Paving Co. are among the companies that joined in the latest lawsuit.
“In addition to vilifying Americans for their personal choices, Biden’s vaccine mandates are unlawful and a recipe for economic disaster,” said Kemp. “With inflation skyrocketing, the supply chain screeching to a halt, and job creators across the country desperately searching for more workers, Biden is pouring gasoline on a fire.”
“This unlawful mandate is yet another example of the Biden administration’s complete disregard for the constitutional rights afforded to our state and our citizens,” Carr added. “The federal government has no authority to force health-care decisions on Georgia’s companies and its employees under the guise of workplace safety.”
Anthony Coley, a spokesman for the Justice Department, defended the mandate.
“The OSHA emergency temporary standard is a critical tool to keep America’s workplaces safe as we fight our way out of this pandemic,” Coley said. “The department will vigorously defend this rule in court.”
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
ATLANTA – Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan isn’t running for reelection.
That means he’s free to offer his opinions on former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s current political trajectory, which he’s done in a new book entitled “GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for America’s Conservative Party.”
“The book began before the last national election debacle that played out also here in Georgia,” said Duncan, who remains a supporter of Trump’s policies but has become a nationally outspoken critic of the former president himself.
“We have to find a better way to talk about our politics and move forward with the party. It’s becoming an unwinnable strategy, and Donald Trump has zero percent chance of becoming president again in 2024. The sooner we come to grips with that reality, the better it will be for the Republican Party.”
Duncan had a front row seat as Georgia became the focus of Trump’s national battle to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“I didn’t start out to take on a sitting president as I wrote the book,” he said. “But Trump forgot to remind 250 million American voters why our conservative values are so good and what he stood for.”
“A vocal portion of the Republican Party had become unquestioning followers of the man in the White House,” Duncan writes in his new book. “He had convinced these good people that if you didn’t carry his same tone and support his every decision, you were with them, not him.
“When the president strayed from long-standing Republican positions, his fans went right along, egged on by other party leaders. At the extreme, some acted as if anyone who dissented didn’t count — as a member of the party or, increasingly, simply as a citizen. A chilling tone had descended on the party: You’re either with us or against us. … That’s not how you govern a state like Georgia.”
Duncan, who was elected to the state House in 2012 following the 2011 House redistricting, is finishing up his one and only term as lieutenant governor. Earlier this year, he announced he would not seek reelection after contradicting Trump’s efforts to overturn the election.
Now, Duncan acknowledges a freedom to express his political views without worrying about future electoral ramifications.
“It’s an unfair reality, and it shouldn’t be the case, but Trump was continuing to wreak havoc inside the state and trying to disrupt the election process from top to bottom,” he said.
Trump continues to have a strong presence in Georgia. He returned to Georgia back in September for the first time since the January 2021 U.S. Senate runoffs and has endorsed University of Georgia football legend Herschel Walker in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock next November. Duncan is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding the first-time candidate.
“It’s encouraging to see Walker beginning to distance himself from Trump,” Duncan said. “Some of his recent ads don’t mention the former president. It’s going to be imperative for him to continue doing that, because it doesn’t help the party or the nation for him to win a primary and then lose a general election. … We still need to figure out who Herschel Walker is.”
Duncan is noncommittal about his future political plans.
“I enjoy the job of lieutenant governor,” he said. “In Georgia, conservative values over the last 18 months have balanced lives and livelihoods more than any other state in the country. I’m not certain about my future, but I want to build support for using empathy to grow the conservative tent.
“We have to find a better way to talk about our politics and move forward with the party. The last election shows honesty should be our No.-1 political philosophy. We have to look for opportunities to put our conservatism on display.”
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
ATLANTA – Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of downtown and Midtown Atlanta Friday as the World Series-champion Atlanta Braves held a massive parade.
The parade began at Five Points in downtown as World Series MVP Jorge Soler, face-of-the-franchise Freddie Freeman and the entire team and front office drove along Peachtree Street.
From downtown, the parade proceeded through Midtown, where it halted at Peachtree and 10th streets and relocated to Cobb County and Truist Park.
Another celebration was set to begin later Friday in The Battery, the Braves’ nationally recognized entertainment complex outside Truist Park.
The parade began at noon with dozens of motorcycled law enforcement officials moving along Peachtree across from Woodruff Park. Brave General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, whose mid-season moves to remake the team’s depleted outfield sparked the World Series run, was in one of the first vehicles.
Gov. Brian Kemp got in on the Braves’ excitement, proclaiming Nov. 5 as Atlanta Braves Day and encouraging all Georgians to join in celebrating the team’s second world championship since moving to Atlanta in 1966.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
ATLANTA – The new legislative maps Georgia Republicans proposed this week are fair and provide multiple opportunities for minority representation, the chairman of the state Senate’s Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee said Thursday.
But advocates for voting rights and minority groups attacked both the content and timing of the maps during the their first public airing since Republican leaders released them on Tuesday.
State Sen. John Kennedy, R-Macon, the committee’s chairman, painstakingly outlined each of the 56 proposed Senate districts during the first portion of Thursday’s hearing.
He acknowledged the process of creating the new maps has been compressed because U.S. Census data wasn’t released until August.
Under the proposed map, Democrats could gain up to three seats, reflecting the growth of Georgia’s minority populations, voters who historically have supported Democratic candidates. The GOP currently holds the majority in the chamber with 34 seats, to 22 for the Democrats.
During a series of public hearings held across the state during the summer, members of civil rights and voting rights groups urged Republicans to take minority population growth into account when drawing new legislative and congressional district maps.
Kennedy and other Republicans on the committee stressed the new map is less politically divisive than others drawn back when Democrats controlled the General Assembly.
“In 2001, Democrats paired 12 of 56 incumbents, including 10 of 24 Republicans, but only two of 32 Democrats were paired,” Kennedy said. “These new maps are respectful of incumbents returning but also include 14 majority-Black districts and 20 non-white majority districts.”
Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, who is vice chair of the committee, said the proposed maps comply with state and federal voting laws. He said the maps were created after 11 hearings held around the state, including several online public hearings.
Other Republicans said the Senate map includes requests from the Democratic Party, recognizes state and federal constitutional requirements, and acknowledges past instances of racially polarized voting.
But Janet Grant, vice chair of the nonprofit Fair Districts Georgia, said the GOP map is too partisan.
Grant said the Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave the Democratic Caucus an “A” for an alternative Senate map Democrats released last week in terms of fairness and overall representation and handed the Republican map an “F.”
“There’s an opportunity to improve these maps from both a partisanship perspective and a competitive perspective,” Grant said.
Cowsert questioned Princeton’s methodology in developing its grade.
Salik Sohani, a volunteer for the Georgia Muslim Voter Project, complained that the release of both the GOP House and Senate maps came on a municipal election day throughout the state.
“The only way I found out about the maps was to follow the General Assembly’s Twitter feed,” Sohani said. He urged the committee to reconsider the maps and provide more transparency and translations for non-English-speaking and hearing-impaired residents.
Stephanie Ali, policy director of the New Georgia Project, complained that the committee has scheduled a meeting on Friday to possibly vote on the Senate map during a parade to celebrate the Atlanta Braves World Series championship.
Also on Friday, the House Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee will hold its first meeting on the proposed House map.
The General Assembly redraws Georgia’s congressional and legislative district maps every 10 years to account for population shifts reflected in the U.S. Census.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
