Happy Birthday And Congrats, Mr. Burgess

Today is Tyler Burgess’s Birthday. Thursday evening, he will walk across the stage at Dalton State College and receive a B.B.A. in Accounting, Cum Laude. He’s a man of accomplishment this week, but we’ve known that about him for a while.

We made Tyler Peach Pundit’s first “intern” the day of the Wild Hog Supper this year. And while we only officially announced he was promoted and no longer our intern at last week’s Sine Die Road Show event, we actually took off his training wheels just two weeks into the ride. He’s been a full contributor since late January. The boy learns fast.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tyler in person only last October, on a day UGA played a very forgetful game against Tennessee. But in today’s bizarro world of social media, I’d say our friendship pre-dates that meeting by almost a year. With an internet connection somewhere near the Georgia-Tennessee disputed territory, he was making his presence known and opinions felt via Facebook, as a regular commenter here, and as an officer in the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia, NW Georgia Young Republicans and the Dalton State College Republicans.

He clearly was raised right, and properly. When I met him, he had impeccable manners, unimpeachable character, and held himself to standards that most would find unattainable. I hope I haven’t destroyed too much of that. The person I met also was learning to hone his craft, exert influence, and use his gifts to exert positive change on our political system, our State, and our Country. Watching him grow through that process has been often entertaining, but definitely rewarding. I’m glad to have been a small part of that, as are the other contributors here. But the credit goes to Tyler.

When I think about the future of politics, I want it to be made by people like him.

Tyler has been among the loudest to call for high ethical standards from our politicians, but he demands those same qualities of himself and those he associates with. He wants government to be limited, but he demands the government we must have to be efficient and effective. And while he holds very strong opinions, he will talk to those diametrically opposed to his viewpoints, listen and discuss with respect, and realize at the end of the day, we and our differing opinions must all find a way to peacefully exist together at a base level of humanity. Above all, he wants to work to leave the world a better place than he found it, and he’s just beginning the uphill part of that journey.

We’re not sure how much longer Tyler will be with us at Peach Pundit, as with his graduation brings interviews with several campaigns. But myself and the others here wish to take the opportunity to thank him for his contributions, congratulate him on his accomplishments, and wish him the very best as he begins the next great chapter in his life.

We hope you will join us in doing the same.

Tagged as: Tyler Burgess