Former Member, Game, Fish and Parks Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives

Former Chair, Higher Education Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives

Former Member, Special Rules Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives

Former Member, Special Rules Committee, Georgia State House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Education, Georgia State House of Representatives

Member, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

Chair, Education

Member, Health and Human Services

Member, Higher Education

Co-Chair, House Rural Development Council

Member, Human Relations and Aging

Member, Public Safety and Homeland Security

Member, Regulated Industries

Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education

— Father's Occupation:

• Pharmacist

— Pets (include names):

• Dog (Ranger)

Priority Issues:

Rick's Values

My values are a product of our families and of my Christian faith. The solid principles that my parents and other people of faith have laid have given me a firm foundation on which to stand. I will stand firm, do the right thing, and fight for the things we believe in. I know you want someone as a Representative who will defend our conservative North Georgia values when they come under attack in our legislature and courts. I am not afraid to stand up to the liberal Atlanta mindset. I'll always be there to defend the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and our right to prayer.

My relationship with God has always been an important part of my life. Christian principles are an important part of my everyday approach to life and to making decisions. It is the basis of my enthusiasm to display a servant-leadership approach to public office just like I have in work, family, and in community activities.

Pro Life: I am pro-life. I support adoption as a positive solution. Government should support policies that facilitate the adoption process, thus making it easier to place children with eligible couples. I will promote and work to enact policies to make this happen. I oppose taxpayer funding of abortions and the gruesome partial-birth procedure.

Today with scientific advances that were unthinkable just a few short years ago, our society will face serious moral and ethical issues. In dealing with these issues, I believe the sanctity of life must be the priority and basis upon which these policies are made. Creating life only to end it and use it for research is wrong.

Defending Traditional Marriage: I will defend the sanctity of Marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Protecting Prayer: Our nation was founded on religious freedom, and I believe every child and every person in Georgia has the right for reflection, meditation, or prayer during the day. I support voluntary prayer in all schools and oppose any restrictions on the exercise of that right.

Spouse's Occupation:

Kindergarten Teacher