George Hooks started his political career early. Governor Marvin Griffen was running for a second term, and he needed to get the word out. Bunches of teenagers were hired to nail signs from town to town. Hooks described it as a dream job for a teenage boy. “I got bit by the bug that year, and been in politics ever since.”

While Hooks is long retired from politics, the trappings of his career are still evident at his apartment at Magnolia Manor. Former Governor Eugene Talmadge’s red suspenders, a trademark of his campaign, hang framed on the wall, along with plaques, recognitions, letters, and other mementos Hooks received over his career.

Hooks’s political career spans 33 years. 10 were spent in the Georgia House, and 23 were spent in the Georgia Senate. As districts jumped from 165,000 to 185,000 citizens, Hooks’ district began to grow in size, if not population. At one point, his district was the largest in the state, eventually hitting the Chattahoochee. However, even after hitting the river, the district traveled as far as it possibly could when a golf course on the Alabama side created an artificial island. Since the Alabama coast is the state line of Georgia, the 18th green was legally in Hooks’ senate district.

Despite representing rural counties, Hooks was well-known in the legislature for his speeches and knowledge of history. In addition to his teenage stint campaigning for Griffen, he also received a head start in politics from speech class, a required subject at Americus High. “I excelled in it and enjoyed it, and it served me well.”

Hooks not only studied history, but took a major role in shaping it during the adoption of the current state flag. The need for a new design arose after Governor Roy Barnes wanted to change Georgia’s second flag, removing the “Battle Flag of the Confederacy.”

While the old flag was replaced, the new blue flag, which temporarily became the third flag of Georgia, was not widely accepted. Hooks credits the original state flag as the inspiration of the fourth design, with crimson, white, and blue colors. The state seal became the crest.

The new flag still bore many basic similarities to the “Stars and Bars,” the original design for the Confederate flag, but was considered less offensive than the 1956 state flag design incorporating the second flag of the Confederacy. Hooks was instrumental in its design and passage, and it continues to fly over Georgia today.

All 159 counties endorsed the flag, as well as Jimmy Carter. Hooks has another unique connection with Carter other than his support for the current flag- Hooks held the same senate district seat first held by Carter. Hooks held the seat until the district was dissolved.

Another major project Hooks recalls is the revitalization of the rail line after the Seaboard Air Line Railroad had abandoned it. Hooks decided the state should bring it back. His inspiration came from a scenic railroad in North Georgia owned by the local communities.

Hooks’ goal was to bring in historic tourism, and with Carter’s history in Plains, the was plenty to draw a crowd. However, winning approval for the railroad was not easy. Another challenge came from the trestle over Lake Blackshear, which was in disrepair. After those obstacles were overcome, there was still a need for a train for the line. “We went out and did a nationwide search for the cars.” Now, tourists disembarking in Plains and the Jackson Depot in Americus are a part of the regular rhythm of the community.

Despite Hooks’ eventually lost his district after redistricting, but he never lost an election. He also never lost his home county, Sumter, which comes as a special point of pride for the sixth-generation native. When asked about the source of his political, success, he credits his willingness to go out and meet people, without relying on television or radio to do all the work. “You’ve got to get out there and shake hands.”