Governor Perdue Appoints Judge Tom Rawlings as Georgia Child Advocate

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today appointed Middle Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Tom C. Rawlings as Georgia’s Child Advocate.

"Tom’s experience in our juvenile court system and his passion for improving the health and well being of Georgia’s children make him the right selection for this position," Governor Perdue said.

Rawlings, who lives in Sandersville with his wife Kay and three sons, has served as a Juvenile Court Judge in the Middle Georgia Circuit since October 2000. He was named Juvenile Court Judge of the Year in 2006, serves on the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges and Judicial Advisory Council of the Georgia Board of Juvenile Justice. He is a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Law and a member of the 2006 class of Leadership Georgia.

"I appreciate Governor Perdue’s confidence in my ability to serve Georgia’s children in the role of Child Advocate," Rawlings said.

In April, Governor Perdue appointed a Nominating Committee for Georgia’s Child Advocate consisting of Joy Hawkins, Abel Ortiz and Rebecca Sullivan. The term of current advocate DeAlvah Simms expired October 2, 2006.

The text of the Governor’s Executive Order is below:

Whereas:       On April 30, 2007, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172, the Governor appointed a nominating committee composed of Joy Hawkins, Abel Ortiz, and Rebecca Sullivan to consider nominees for the position of Child Advocate; and

Whereas:       The nominating committee accepted nominations for the position of Child Advocate until May 31, 2007, and conducted interviews of potential candidates; and

Whereas:       On June 12, 2007, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172, the nominating committee submitted three names to the Governor for consideration.

                        Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:                   That the Honorable Tom C. Rawlings, is hereby appointed as Georgia’s Child Advocate for a term of office ending October 2, 2009, to succeed the Honorable DeAlvah Simms, whose term expired October 2, 2006.

                                    This the 15th day of June, 2007.

Governor Sonny Perdue