Nine framed historical documents have been placed on county courthouse walls.
Suzanne Hudgens, wife of state senator and Georgia insurance commissioner candidate Ralph Hudgens, presented county commissioners with the documents Oct. 26.
“I would just appreciate if we could hang them; it’s already been hung in 12 other counties and we’re trying to get them hung in all the counties in Georgia,” said Hudgens. “… They all have to be framed exactly the same. They’re beautiful. And they’re the foundations of American law.”
The documents include the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Carta, the Star Spangled Banner, the National Motto, the preamble of the Georgia Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the description of the image of the Lady Justice.
Hudgens noted that the documents must be donated. The government cannot pay for them.
In 2006, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed H.B. 941 into law, which authorizes local governments to erect historical displays that include a copy of the Ten Commandments.
County commissioners voiced gratitude for the donations and voted unanimously to accept the gifts from Ralph and Suzanne Hudgens. No one spoke in opposition of the donations Monday.
Commissioner John Pethel asked Hudgens if the county could face litigation for accepting the donations.
“Suppose an organization, you know who I’m talking about, decided to have a class action suit, would we be defended by the attorney general?” asked Pethel.
Hudgens responded: “I don’t think it would come to us to have to defend. It’s a state law.”
Pethel said the donation was a “gracious act.”
BOC chairman Anthony Dove said he was pleased to accept the donation.
“I am glad to be a part of these documents we’re going to place up here,” he said.
Commissioner Bruce Scogin said he appreciates a governor who recognizes “our right to hang these documents in public places.”
“They hand out birth control pills in high school, condoms,” said Scogin. “You can worship almost anything now and not get chided, but when it comes to God, for some reason some people have a problem with that, but not, I think, the majority of the people.”
Scogin said the approval of the documents could open a door for other things, but that the recognition of God in public is a good thing.
“Who knows, some day you may have to side step a Buddha statue,” he said. “We’ll have to deal with that when the time comes. I guess what I’m trying to say is when you see people who fight against the word of God being spread. And the word of God may not be for everyone, but it’s good sound doctrine for anyone to live by. Even if you don’t believe in it, it can’t hurt you.”
Commissioner Stanley Thomas said he appreciates the donation.
“It’s nice to see if you look at things happening in Washington and some of the corrupt stuff that happens in our government, that one of our senators and his wife are donating something to this county that means what it does,” said Thomas. “I vote yes.”
And I think a local clavern of wiccans wants to post their sorcery rules as well.
To quote GWBush, "Bring 'em on."
My sentiments exactly.
The only publicity Hudgens got was a photo of his wife holding a cheap frame, and doesn't even have a matte. That frame looks like it came from the throwaway bin at WalMart! That Hudgens couldn't even donate a decent frame speaks volumes about his true feelings for the citizens of this county.
Again, Thank You! For not taking the bait and sending Hudgens on his way! We appreciate it!