Former Hall Co Congressman, Governor honored as court building bears his name

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was on hand for Tuesday’s dedication ceremonies in Atlanta, where a new state court building was named in honor of former Hall County Congressman and former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.

From Sandra Parrish, WSB Radio...

“The state of Georgia, I think can be very, very proud of this building and all that it signifies,” Deal says.

During his time as governor, Deal was essential in getting the $131 million in funding to build the six story, 215,000 square foot building at the corner of Memorial Drive and Capitol Avenue.

“This is a 100-year-old building. We intend to have this building for 100 years,” remarked Chief Justice Harold Melton before the tour for Deal and local media.

The building holds offices for 150 state employees who were crammed in a total of three buildings across the street from the State Capitol.

“Those who were close to it already knew that the quarters were very cramped in the old Law Building where they were located. Of course, as your recall, we expanded the size of both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court,”

The new building features handmade desks and upholstered chairs made by inmates in Georgia’s prison system. It’s appropriate because Deal was a proponent of rehabilitation and giving prisoners a second chance at life.

“We have to make sure that those who are leaving our system have some skill sets and have as much support as possible so that they can make a successful entry back into civilian life. And to see those kinds of examples in person and in this building certainly is rewarding,” he says.