Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R – Gainesville) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Cowsert (R – Athens) celebrated the life of Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Harris Hines with a resolution honoring his life and service to the state of Georgia. Lt. Governor Cagle, Sen. Miller and Sen. Cowsert released the following statements on the death of Chief Justice Hines:

“The Honorable Harris Hines was a true leader who set the standard for Georgia’s highest court,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “He faithfully served our state and his Cobb community with a true passion for making a difference in the lives of others. We will be forever grateful for his dedication to the people of Georgia and his legacy will continue to positively impact our state for generations to come.”

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Harris Hines,” said Sen. Miller. “He was a talented jurist, loving husband, father and grandfather, and a wonderful friend. He devoted his life to the service of others as a judge for more than 40 years and we were lucky to have his leadership in several capacities. On behalf of the Georgia Senate, I would like to extend condolences to his wife Helen, his children and everyone who was lucky enough to call Justice Hines a friend. He will truly be missed on Capitol Hill and across the State of Georgia.”

“Justice Hines embodied every characteristic of what a judge and southern gentleman should be,” said. Sen. Cowsert. “His commitment to our laws and constitution is truly commendable and his years of service will never be forgotten. The improvements he made to not only our court system but our entire state will live on and be an example for those serving in the court system in the future. He will truly be missed but never forgotten.”

Chief Justice Hines graduated from Henry W. Grady High School and Emory University where he earned his bachelor and law degrees. His distinguished legal career began in 1974 when Governor Jimmy Carter appointed him to serve on the State Court of Cobb County. He then went on to serve on the Cobb County Superior Court before his appointment to the Supreme Court of Georgia in 1995 by then Governor Zell Miller. Chief Justice Hines was elected by his colleagues as the Chief Justice in 2016 and served in this capacity until he retired in 2018.