County, which is now the county's largest employer. In addition, he was a staunch advocate for MARTA in Atlanta, and an ardent supporter of national interests that brought jobs and economic development to Georgia such as Lockheed's C-5 A aircraft program. Ginn also was an early leader in environmental preservation issues in Georgia. He was the prime author of legislation that led to a protected wilderness designation for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Blackbeard Island and Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuges, and large portions of Cumberland Island National Seashore. He decided to leave Congress in 1982 to run for governor to succeed George Busbee, who was stepping down after eight years in office. The Democratic runoff election was a classic confrontation between Joe Frank Harris, who ran as a conservative promising no tax increases under any circumstances, and Ginn, who wanted to pursue a more progressive agenda for the state's future. In the 1982 Georgia gubernatorial election, Ginn lost in the primary to Harris, who went on to win the general and serve two terms in office. His political career over, he founded the Ginn & Eddington lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. and later moved to Augusta, Georgia to be closer to his children. Georgia Southern University Ginn is one of the most significant and effective Georgia Southern University graduates and contributors in history ... His given years of dedicated and loyal support to Georgia Southern since arriving on campus in 1953 ... Born May 31, 1934 in Calhoun County, Georgia ... Earned Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Georgia Teachers College ... Named Most Outstanding Business Student and was elected to Who's Who Among American University and College Students ... Student Council President during senior year ... Administrative Assistant to Congressman G. Elliot Hagan and United States Senator Herman E. Talmadge from 1961 to 1972 ... Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the First Congressional District of Georgia in 1972 ... Served on the Public Works and Transportation Committee and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee before gaining a seat on the influential Appropriations Committee ... Also served on the Defensive Appropriations Subcommittee and as Chairman of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee ... In addition, spent time on the House Steering and policy Committee, the House Personnel Committee, the Congressional Campaign Committee and the Board of the visitors at West Point ... Elected to five