NEWS RELEASE: Graves Featured Speaker at "God And Country" Rally in Gainesville

6.29.2009 (Gainesville, GA) - State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) joined more than 100 others at the “God and Country” rally Sunday at Popular Springs Baptist Church, where he was a featured speaker at the event organized by Christian Men for America.

The purpose of the rally was to promote “Real change in America” and Graves urged participants to secure our republic, restore our liberty and advance God’s purpose for the generations to come.

“As we hear of calls for change, you have to ask yourself ‘is it really change that you seek or is it the resolve to follow the compass and return to the proper course that I really long for?’” asked Graves.“We are off course as a nation because of the winds and currents of change…they are fighting hard to push this Christian nation, a nation under God… into the reefs of history.”

“I am here today because I love America, and I’m not willing to let her stray off course without a fight,”said Graves. “There has never been a more critical time in our country’s history since its founding for Christians to engage in this struggle.”

Graves, currently serving in his fourth term in the Georgia House of Representatives, spoke along with Congressman Nathan Deal, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Congressman Paul Broun.

Deal, the current 9th District Congressman, is retiring to run for Governor and Graves is seeking his congressional seat.

“If it is real change that we seek, it first begins in the heart with an eternal change,” said Graves.“Then, we as Christians must be willing to humble ourselves and pray and not be ashamed or apologetic of our Nation, her heritage or for our faith. We must seek God’s wisdom, and discernment, coupled with the courage to act and to work as we’re called. To again lead this country that is hungry for truth,for morality and for leadership.”

After the rally, Graves attended the “Restore America Conference” at First Redeemer Church in Cumming where retired Lt. Col. and host of Fox News “War Stories” Ollie North spoke.***Graves, who is in his fourth term representing House District 12, was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002. He has chaired numerous subcommittees, served in several leadership positions and been recognized statewide as a conservative leader. He received the 2009 “Guardian of Small Business” Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, 2009 “Legislator of the Year” Award from the Georgia Retail Association, the “2009 Legislator of the Year” from the 9th Congressional District of Georgia and was nationally recognized as the “Legislative Entrepreneur of the Year Award” by the Freedom Works Foundation for his tireless effort to stem the tide of expansive government and reduce the tax burden on Georgians.

Graves grew up in White, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance. Graves is a small businessman, past member of the Gordon County Board of Elections and an active member of the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce. He is married to Julie,a native of Marietta, and the couple has three children, JoAnn, J.T., and Janey. They attend the Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun.