Bobby Franklin
Encyclopedia
Bobby Franklin was an American state legislator who served in the Georgia General Assembly
. Franklin was a Republican
representing Georgia
's District 43, which encompasses parts of northern Cobb County
.
Franklin’s private sector experience as corporate controller, CFO, and business analyst enabled him to bring sound business and fiscal principles to government. He consistently advocated for reducing the tax levels of Georgia citizens.
Representative Franklin was called by many "the conscience of the Republican Caucus" because of his beliefs that civil government should return to its (in his mind consistent) biblically and constitutionally defined roles.
Franklin proposed a measure that would prohibit all abortions in Georgia. He also voted "No" against bill HCS HB 147: Pre-Abortion Sonograms that passed the House on 19 March 2007 (116 - 54).
Sponsored by Representative Franklin and dropped in the House Hopper on January 24, 2011, House Bill 3, the "Constitutional Tender Act", which aimed to make gold and silver the only legal tender for payment of debts by and to the state of Georgia pursuant to Article I Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Franklin maintains that all fifty U.S. states are in violation of this Constitutional stipulation to not "make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts," as paper and electronic bank notes (Federal Reserve Accounting Unit Dollars) are used nearly exclusively as tender. On February 17, 2009, Representative Franklin introduced House Bill 466 that would tax the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
as it would any other privately owned bank in the state of Georgia.
Franklin had sought to abolish Georgia′s Road and Tollway Authority and Department of Health and Human Services. Franklin was an opponent of public schools, stating on his weekly blog that, "The State Has No Jurisdiction To Educate Our Children — Period!" Rep. Franklin commented that public schools are a "sinking ship" and he believed that private and home schooling are a better alternative for Georgia.
In January 2011, Franklin sponsored a bill that would do away with driver′s licenses in the State of Georgia. Franklin stated that the licenses represented “oppressive times” and “licensing of drivers cannot be required of free people, because taking on the restrictions of a license requires the surrender of an inalienable right.” He further stated that the freedom of movement by operating an automobile should be open to all Americans, regardless of age or driving skills. He cemented these beliefs by noting that he does not object to 12 year old children driving cars on Georgia Highways.
In 2011 he also proposed, in House Bill 14, to amend Georgia state criminal code with regards to rape so that the new legal term “accuser” be substituted for the currently used legal term “victim,” thereby theoretically no longer protecting a rape victim (in common terminology) from being billed for medical investigation of her rape if her rapist should be acquitted; the bill infuriated victims′ advocates. In House Bill 1, a bill Franklin proposed that would outlaw abortion, a section of existing Georgia statute is quoted which requires that every "spontaneous fetal death
" have its cause investigated by the "proper investigating official." The bill would also make abortion punishable by death or life in prison.
Franklin was a strong opponent of abortion and gay rights. Franklin held that America has strayed from its Christian past and the country needs to be changed into a Christian nation. Franklin believed that legislation that is in direct opposition to God's word will bring about the wrath of God. In 2010, Franklin stated, "Islamic terrorism is not the greatest threat facing America. God is." Franklin claimed that President George W. Bush "praises the gods of pagan religions."
Franklin sponsored a bill that would require all state transactions, including the payment of taxes to the state, take place in either Gold or Silver.
Rep. Franklin caused controversy when he proposed Georgia House Bill One. Opponents claimed it would “require proof that a miscarriage occurred naturally.” If proof could not be provided, the mother could face “felony charges”. Franklin rebutted saying the claims had "no merit."
Rep. Franklin caused some controversy when he called actions made by the United States and Allied Forces in Libya "pure evil." He compared the acts of Muammar Gaddafi against his own people to American doctors providing abortions.
in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
, where he received a degree in both Biblical Studies and Business Administration. He and his wife, Pat, were married for over 27 years. They had three children. Franklin was an active member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
When a friend became concerned that he did not attend church on Sunday morning, they went to his home to check on him. Rep. Franklin was found dead in his bed on July 26, 2011. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
. Franklin was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
representing Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
's District 43, which encompasses parts of northern Cobb County
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
.
Legislative History
Franklin entered the Georgia House of Representatives in 1997. At the time of his death, Franklin was Vice Chairman of the Information & Audits Committee and the Vice Chairman of the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee. He also served as a member of the Banks & Banking and Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committees. He previously served on the Natural Resources and Environment and the Special Judiciary Committees. Franklin had also served as the former Chairman of the House Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee.Franklin’s private sector experience as corporate controller, CFO, and business analyst enabled him to bring sound business and fiscal principles to government. He consistently advocated for reducing the tax levels of Georgia citizens.
Representative Franklin was called by many "the conscience of the Republican Caucus" because of his beliefs that civil government should return to its (in his mind consistent) biblically and constitutionally defined roles.
Franklin proposed a measure that would prohibit all abortions in Georgia. He also voted "No" against bill HCS HB 147: Pre-Abortion Sonograms that passed the House on 19 March 2007 (116 - 54).
Sponsored by Representative Franklin and dropped in the House Hopper on January 24, 2011, House Bill 3, the "Constitutional Tender Act", which aimed to make gold and silver the only legal tender for payment of debts by and to the state of Georgia pursuant to Article I Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Franklin maintains that all fifty U.S. states are in violation of this Constitutional stipulation to not "make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts," as paper and electronic bank notes (Federal Reserve Accounting Unit Dollars) are used nearly exclusively as tender. On February 17, 2009, Representative Franklin introduced House Bill 466 that would tax the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is responsible for the sixth district, which covers the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, 74 counties in the eastern two-thirds of...
as it would any other privately owned bank in the state of Georgia.
Franklin had sought to abolish Georgia′s Road and Tollway Authority and Department of Health and Human Services. Franklin was an opponent of public schools, stating on his weekly blog that, "The State Has No Jurisdiction To Educate Our Children — Period!" Rep. Franklin commented that public schools are a "sinking ship" and he believed that private and home schooling are a better alternative for Georgia.
In January 2011, Franklin sponsored a bill that would do away with driver′s licenses in the State of Georgia. Franklin stated that the licenses represented “oppressive times” and “licensing of drivers cannot be required of free people, because taking on the restrictions of a license requires the surrender of an inalienable right.” He further stated that the freedom of movement by operating an automobile should be open to all Americans, regardless of age or driving skills. He cemented these beliefs by noting that he does not object to 12 year old children driving cars on Georgia Highways.
In 2011 he also proposed, in House Bill 14, to amend Georgia state criminal code with regards to rape so that the new legal term “accuser” be substituted for the currently used legal term “victim,” thereby theoretically no longer protecting a rape victim (in common terminology) from being billed for medical investigation of her rape if her rapist should be acquitted; the bill infuriated victims′ advocates. In House Bill 1, a bill Franklin proposed that would outlaw abortion, a section of existing Georgia statute is quoted which requires that every "spontaneous fetal death
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
" have its cause investigated by the "proper investigating official." The bill would also make abortion punishable by death or life in prison.
Franklin was a strong opponent of abortion and gay rights. Franklin held that America has strayed from its Christian past and the country needs to be changed into a Christian nation. Franklin believed that legislation that is in direct opposition to God's word will bring about the wrath of God. In 2010, Franklin stated, "Islamic terrorism is not the greatest threat facing America. God is." Franklin claimed that President George W. Bush "praises the gods of pagan religions."
Controversy
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Rep. Franklin proposed ending driver’s licenses in Georgia.Franklin sponsored a bill that would require all state transactions, including the payment of taxes to the state, take place in either Gold or Silver.
Rep. Franklin caused controversy when he proposed Georgia House Bill One. Opponents claimed it would “require proof that a miscarriage occurred naturally.” If proof could not be provided, the mother could face “felony charges”. Franklin rebutted saying the claims had "no merit."
Rep. Franklin caused some controversy when he called actions made by the United States and Allied Forces in Libya "pure evil." He compared the acts of Muammar Gaddafi against his own people to American doctors providing abortions.
Personal life
Representative Franklin was a graduate of Covenant CollegeCovenant College
Covenant College is a Christian liberal arts college in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, United States.-History:Founded in 1955 in Pasadena, California, Covenant College and Theological Seminary moved its campus to St. Louis, Missouri the following year, and, in 1965, separated from the seminary, moving...
in Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Lookout Mountain is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,617 at the 2000 census. The city is located on Lookout Mountain, home to such attractions as Rock City and Ruby Falls. The city is also home to Covenant College...
, where he received a degree in both Biblical Studies and Business Administration. He and his wife, Pat, were married for over 27 years. They had three children. Franklin was an active member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
When a friend became concerned that he did not attend church on Sunday morning, they went to his home to check on him. Rep. Franklin was found dead in his bed on July 26, 2011. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
External links
- Official Georgia House of Representative Bio, including contact information
- Constitutional Tender Act
- Interview with CBS Atlanta in which Representative Bobby Franklin, author of House Bill 7, makes his case against driver′s licenses
- Representative Franklin′s discussion of House Bill 7 on 95.5FM News/Talk WSB