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Lakly, Chance pleased with committee assignments

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland spent 12 years as a minority member of the Georgia Legislature, the last four as the Republican leader in the state House, but could only dream of the day when control of Georgia’s government would finally be wrenched from the hands of Democrats.

That day came Monday.

Though Westmoreland is now a U.S. Congressman from Georgia’s 8th District, he wasn’t about to miss out on the history made Monday with the opening of the 2005 General Assembly, the first since Reconstruction in which Republicans hold a majority in both the House and Senate, as well as the governorship.

He had so much fun on Monday, in fact, Westmoreland stuck around on Tuesday as well.

A spokesman in Westmoreland’s Capitol Hill office said the trip home to Georgia was last-minute and he was due back in Washington later Tuesday.

A longtime figure in state Republican affairs, Westmoreland was there to see Glenn Richardson of Dallas take the oath of office as the first Republican Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives in 134 years.

He also personally welcomed the two Republican newcomers representing Fayette County in the statehouse, Rep. Dan Lakly of Peachtree City and Sen. Ronnie Chance of Tyrone.

Lakly returns to the Legislature after a six-year absence, and Chance, a political consultant by trade, is no stranger in the halls of the Capitol.

Still, both men said the opening day of the session was an awesome, emotional experience.

“It was wonderful to be down there on the floor,” said Chance, who brought along his 13-month-old daughter and extended family members for the historic day. “From a historical perspective, to think of all the people who’ve served there previously, and to grasp the enormous responsiblity I have to the people who elected me ...” Chance trailed off. “It’s exciting to think about where we’re going and where we are.”

On Tuesday, Chance found himself named secretary of the Senate Finance Committee — an “A” committee and a big vote of confidence for a freshman, he said. He also serves on the Higher Education, Veterans and Military Affairs, Economic Development, and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.

“It’s nice to be third in command on an ‘A’ committee,” he said. “I’m very pleased. It’s nice to be included on that one starting out.”

Lakly was just as pleased with his House committee assignments, especially being named vice-chair of the Defense and Veterans Affairs committee. He was also named secretary of Community Affairs and Aging.

“That’s great,” said an emotional Lakly when told of the Veterans Affairs appointment. “For someone who’s been out of the Legislature as long as I have, to come back to that ... I’m highly honored.

“I’m vice chairman,” Lakly declared again, proudly. “That’s a recognition of my formal military service. “I’m just pleased as punch.”