Joe Frank Harris is an American Democratic politician who served as the 78th Governor of the United States. state of Georgia from 1983 to 1991.
Background
Harris was born in the Atco Mill Village of Cartersville, Georgia to Frank and Frances Harris. Upon graduation Harris returned to his native Cartersville, Georgia to join his father Frank and brother Fred in the family run cement business.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, University Georgia, 1958. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Woodrow Wilson College Law, 1981. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Asbury College, 1983.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Morris Brown College, 1983. Doctor of Laws (honorary), LaGrange College, 1987. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Mercer University, 1987.
Career
Harris went on to graduate from the University of Georgia in 1958 with a degree in business administration. Harris Cement Products, Incorporated. operated from 1940–1980, and was a successful Northwest Georgia business that during the late 1970s furnished all the cement for the bridges and overpasses constructed on Interstate 75 from Cobb County to Gordon County. Harris was persuaded to run for the Georgia House of Representatives in 1964 and served nine terms.
Harris became the chairman of the Appropriations Committee in 1974.
Memphis, Tennessee-based consultant Deloss Walker played a key role in Harris" successful 1982 campaign. As Governor, Harris created and implemented the Quality Basic Education Acting (QBE), built the Georgia Dome, created the Technical College System of Georgia formerly known as the Department of Adult & Technical Education, and lured the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta.
Harris is also credited with building more libraries during his term than any other governor in Georgia"s history. Also during his term, Harris created the Growth Strategies Commission chaired by Cartersville native and prominent developer Joel Cowan.
After two terms as Governor, Harris was appointed to the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia serving for seven years, two years as Chairman.
From 1995 through 2009 Harris served at as a distinguished executive fellow and lecturer in the School of Policy Studies. He is chairman of the board of Harris Georgia Corporation, an industrial development firm that was established in 1980 in Cartersville, Georgia. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Aflac.
The portion of United States. Route 41 through Bartow County is named in his honor (Joe Frank Harris Parkway), as well as the Joe Frank Harris Commons that houses The Village Summit Dining Commons (operated by UGA FOOD SERVICES) at the University of Georgia, the main entrance to the Georgia Ports Authority in Brunswick, Georgia (Joe Frank Harris boulevard), and the main entrance to the Georgia State Fairgrounds in Perry (Governor Joe Frank and Mrs Elizabeth Harris boulevard).
Achievements
Membership
While attending Georgia, he also became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
Connections
Married Elizabeth Carlock Harris, June 25, 1961. 1 son. Joe Frank, Junior.