[6] He became so politically powerful during his speakership, that he is largely credited with helping his legislative protégé, Joe Frank Harris, get elected governor in 1982.

[3] During his tenure, Murphy was a key figure in Georgia's economic development and throughout statewide politics; and was considered by many to be the best friend Atlanta ever had in the legislature despite his rural residency and upbringing.

In 2000 political columnist Bill Shipp wrote of Murphy, "In his 26 years as presiding officer of the House, he has become as powerful and important in the General Assembly as the governor.

"[7] Murphy's brusque manners could be off putting, and often required the more diplomatic intervention of his speaker pro tempore, Jack Connell.

[2] Murphy acted to redraw the congressional seats of high-profile Republicans Newt Gingrich (1991), and Bob Barr (2001), in what was viewed as typical of his "hardball" application of political power.

[2] Gingrich, remarked that "The Speaker, by raising money and gerrymandering, has sincerely dedicated a part of his career to wiping me out.

"[9] Murphy frequently skated to reelection, but faced increasingly competitive races from the late 1980s onward as Atlanta's suburbs began bleeding into his district.

The contorted districts that resulted from the 2001 remap both confused and angered voters, and is believed to have led to Murphy losing his own seat in 2002 in a rematch against Heath.

[10] A number of Murphy's lieutenants, including Lauren "Bubba" McDonald and Reapportionment committee Chairman Bob Hanner, who was Murphy's point man on efforts to re-draw district lines to favor Democrats, left the Democratic Party and joined with their former political rivals when power shifted to the Republicans.

[17] In May 2004, Murphy's grandson M. Chad Long, a lobbyist, and four others including former State Representative Robin L. Williams and former Atlanta Braves player Rick Camp were indicted on charges that they stole more than $2 million from the Community Mental Health Center of East Central Georgia.

In many a speech Speaker Murphy would reflect on the days of his youth and would vow never to let a Georgia child face the conditions he did.