(born Sept. 30, 1915, Atlanta, Ga.—died June 25, 2003, Atlanta), American businessman and politician who , served as governor of Georgia (1967–71) after having garnered national attention in 1964 for refusing to serve African Americans at his Pickrick Restaurant. He later passed out pick handles as symbols of his defiance of the Civil Rights Act and eventually closed his restaurant rather than comply with the federal law. Noted for his folksy manner, he proved a surprisingly moderate governor and implemented many policies that benefited African Americans.
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