; (2) in 1993, launched the first pre-kindergarten program in the United States, which became a national model for early childhood development programs; (3) in 1996, welcomed the Olympic summer games to Atlanta, Georgia; (4) in 1998, led Georgia to be first among 50 states in academic-based student financial aid due to HOPE scholarships; and (5) on leaving office in 1999, enjoyed an 85 percent approval rating, which was a record high in the State of Georgia for a governor; Whereas from 1999 to 2000 Zell Miller returned to his roots as an educator and held teaching positions at Young Harris College, Emory University, and the University of Georgia; Whereas Zell Miller was appointed to the Senate in 2000 to fill the vacancy created by the passing of former Senator Paul Coverdell; Whereas Zell Miller was elected to the Senate in a special election in November 2000 to serve out the term through 2005; Whereas, on January 4, 2005, Zell Miller gave a farewell speech on the floor of the Senate; Whereas, in 2008, the Zell B. Miller Learning Center at the University of Georgia was dedicated in honor of Zell Miller; Whereas, in 2011, the Zell Miller Scholarship was created by the State Legislature of Georgia; Whereas, in 2014, the Zell and Shirley Miller Library at Young Harris College was dedicated in honor of Zell Miller and Shirley Miller; Whereas, in 2016, the Miller Institute was established to preserve, promote, and continue the legacy of Zell Miller; Whereas Zell Miller was a lifetime member of the Board of Trustees at Young Harris College and a member of the Board of Trustees at Mercer University; Whereas, at the time of his death, Zell Miller and Shirley Miller resided in Young Harris in the same house that Birdie Miller built in the early 1930s; Whereas Zell Miller is survived by his wife of 64 years, his 2 sons, Murphy Carver Miller and Matthew Stephen Miller, 4 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren