The Senate Committee on Assignments has appointed Senator Jim Whitehead as chairman of the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. He is succeeding Senator Brian Kemp (R-Athens) who is running for higher office.

The Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee considers all legislation concerning the maintenance of the security and well-being of Georgia's citizens from physical violence or danger.

"Jim will be a strong advocate for law enforcement and the protection of our citizens," Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) said. "He is a proven, principled leader and capable of chairing this important committee."

"Senator Whitehead is the right man to oversee the committee with direct responsibility for Georgia's homeland security and law enforcement," Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) added. "By taking over the committee now, he will have the opportunity to learn from the current chairman before he leaves the Senate."

Senator Whitehead has lived in the Augusta area all his life and in Columbia County since 1964. He has been married to his wife Peggy for 41 years and they have three children - Jim Jr., Beth and Bo. They have two daughters-in-law, Bridget and Kelli. Whitehead is the owner of a successful business, Jim Whitehead Tire & Auto, which opened in Augusta in 1985 and at a new Evans location which opened in 2003.

Whitehead served as a Columbia County commissioner from 1995 to 2002 and was chairman of the commission for two-and-a-half years. He is a past chairman of the board of directors of the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a member of the Sister City (Nowy Sacz - Poland) Advisory Board of Columbia County. He is on the advisory board of directors of First Bank and is a member of the board of trustees of Doctors Hospital. Whitehead is a past member of Metro Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the CSRA Regional Development Council. He was a trustee for the State of Georgia ACCG Irma Board for six years. He is member of Champions Retreat Country Club and the Wesley United Methodist Church and is active in numerous other community and civic affairs.

Whitehead represents Senate District 24 which includes Columbia, Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Wilkes Counties and portions of Elbert and Warren Counties.