SENATOR DON CHEEKS 23RD District

Don Cheeks of Augusta was first elected to the Georgia Senate from the 23rd District in 1992.

Cheeks, a Democrat, is chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and vice-chairman of both the Finance and Public Utilities and Transportation Committees. He also serves on the prestigious Appropriations, Ethics, and Reapportionment and Georgia Rail Passenger Authority Committees.

In addition to his standing committee assignments, Cheeks also served on the Senate Defense Conversion Strategies Study Committee which was created to recommend new uses for Georgia military bases which might be closed as a part of defense cutbacks.

He currently represents Georgia on the Transportation Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) and is a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus' Policy Committee.

Senator Cheeks has authored numerous pieces of legislation such as:

Requiring criminal background checks and fingerprinting for principals, teachers, and other certificated professionals. Requiring sanctions against students for the loss or destruction of textbooks or library books. Prohibiting the sale of drug paraphernalia. Requiring HIV testing of people who commit crimes which could lead to the transmittal of AIDS. Requiring sexual offenders to be chemically castrated before being eligible for parole. Making it illegal for checks to be written as collateral for a greater amount than the loan itself. Changing numerous provisions relating to victim compensation by raising the maximum award to victims. Making partial birth abortions illegal. Prohibiting unfunded mandates from being passed onto local governments. Prior to his election to the Senate, Cheeks served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 18 years. He was also a member of the Augusta City Council for six years.

Cheeks, a retired businessman, is active in the community. He is a former chairman of the Jaycees, a past-president and district lieutenant governor of the Civitan Club, and a former director of the Augusta Richmond County Public Library. He has also been active in the March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the United Fund and the Elks Club Charity Committee.

He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Young Men's Library Association and is an honorary member of the Richmond County Retired Teachers Association. He sponsored Little League Baseball teams for 40 plus years.

Born May 1, 1931 in Richmond County, Cheeks attended the Citadel for one year. He interrupted his education at the Citadel to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After completing his four year tour and serving in the Far East he returned to continue his education at the University of Georgia, and Augusta Law School.

Cheeks and his wife, the former Betty Horne, are the parents of two grown daughters and have four grandchildren. He is a member of the Curtis Baptist Church where he has served on the finance committee and as chairman of the Curtis Baptist School. The school gymnasium was named in his honor. His wife Betty is a member of the First Baptist Church where they attend. Senator Cheeks is a member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church where he served as president for 3 years.

Senator Cheeks represents the 23rd District, which includes Burke, Candler, and Jefferson Counties and portions of Bulloach, Columbia, Emanuel, and Richmond Counties: currently he represents Warren and Glascock Counties.

March 2001