Anavitarte calls for statue of Clarence Thomas at Ga. Capitol

State Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, is proposing that a statue of native son Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas be installed on the grounds of the state Capitol.

Anavitarte — who represents Polk, Paulding and Haralson counties — has not yet filed enabling legislation, but he said in a statement last week that Thomas should be recognized by his home state.

“The grounds of the Georgia Capitol should be a place where visitors can connect with their elected officials, as well as a place that provides opportunities to learn about Georgia history,” he said.

Thomas’ 30 years on the nation’s highest court, Anavitarte said, make it “fitting and proper” that a statue of him joins other monuments to notable Georgians on the grounds.

“Justice Thomas is only the second African American United States Supreme Court Justice and only the fourth from the State of Georgia,” he said. “I urge the General Assembly to work with all relevant partners in order to have this statue constructed and installed as soon as is practical.”

The legislature convenes in a special session on Nov. 3 but Gov. Brian Kemp has said it is only to redraw voting district lines based on the new 2020 census data. The 2022 session starts Jan. 10. A number of bills have already been prefiled.

Thomas was born June 23, 1948, in Pin Point, in Chatham County. He attended St. John Vianney Minor Seminary near Savannah before furthering his education at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Missouri and, later, Yale Law School.

Thomas was confirmed on 1991 to the Supreme Court, where he continues to serve today.