State Representative Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus), Dean of the Georgia House of Representatives, recently received the Zell Miller Award for Distinguished Public Service. Rep. Smyre was presented with the award at the annual Zell Miller Legacy Gala on Saturday, February 21, 2020.

“It is an honor to receive this award from such a prestigious foundation, named after one of the greatest public servants Georgia has ever had,” said Rep. Smyre. “The Zell Miller Foundation and the Miller family continue to give generously to our state, and I am grateful for the work they are doing to build programs that promote education, leadership and service opportunities across Georgia.”

Rep. Smyre was recognized for his long history as a public servant in the Georgia House of Representatives, where he was first elected in 1974 as its youngest member at age 27. He is the longest-serving Georgia state representative for 46 years of public service. The Zell Miller Foundation also recognized his distinguished legislative record, which includes authoring legislation that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a state holiday, co-sponsoring legislation that resulted in the removal of the Confederate battle emblem from Georgia’s state flag and legislation authorizing the building of the Georgia Dome, former home of the Atlanta Falcons.

“The State of Georgia is a better place today because of what Calvin Smyre has given through years of honorable public service,” said Bryan Miller, executive chairman of the Zell Miller Foundation.

Each year, the Zell Miller Foundation presents the Zell Miller Award for Distinguished Public Service to one recipient who has given their time, talents and resources to make Georgia a better place. Previous recipients of the award include Hank Huckaby, former Chancellor of the University System of Georgia; David Ralston, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives; and former Governor Nathan Deal.

The Zell Miller Foundation was established in 2016 with the mission to preserve Governor Miller’s legacy through programs that promote education, leadership and service. The foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit designated by the IRS.