Extension Service honors Rep. Royal

Staff Reports

Sat, May 17 2008

— CAMILLA — Mitchell County resident Richard Royal, Georgia state representative for the 171st District, which includes Mitchell and Colquitt counties, was recently presented with the Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Friend of Extension award.
The Friend of Extension award recognizes outstanding support and personal involvement in Extension efforts and is the highest recognition the Extension Service presents to a non-Extension person. Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is the Extension organization comprised of agents and state staff in all three program areas: 4-H, family and consumer science, and agriculture. ESP is dedicated to fostering standards of excellence in the Extension System and developing the Extension profession and professional. Royal was nominated for the award by the Mitchell County Extension staff.
“Recognized as one of the core leaders of our state, Representative Royal is known and respected in business and government at all levels,” said a press release from the Extension Service. “He has always used his much revered influence to support the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, especially Cooperative Extension. Representative Richard Royal is regarded as a supporter and champion for agriculture, for 4-H and for families!
“Richard Royal understands and appreciates the work of Cooperative Extension,” the press release said. “He has repeatedly found ways to support Georgia Extension funding needs. He has directly influenced and led decisions that have resulted in new agent positions, 4-H facilities and enhanced operating budgets. Richard Royal is regarded as a true friend by so many individuals in Georgia Cooperative Extension and the University of Georgia as a whole.”
Royal was elected to the House of Representatives in 1983 and currently chairs the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee and is a member of the Appropriations, Natural Resources and Environment, and Ways and Means committees, where he also serves as chairman of the Property Tax Subcommittee. He was appointed to the Tobacco Advisory Committee by the speaker of the House and to the Fiscal Affairs Committee by the governor.
Royal graduated from Mitchell County High School and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to his service in the House of Representatives, Royal served on the Camilla City Council for 10 years. He has received multiple awards and honors for leadership from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association. In 2003, Royal became the first recipient of the Presidential Citation from Georgia Tech.
Royal and his wife, Marilyn, have five children and nine grandchildren. He is a deacon at Pebble City Baptist Church and has been a Sunday school teacher for more than 24 years. When not in session, Royal is a consultant for the petroleum industry.