GOVERNOR HONORS LOCAL HISTORIAN

ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s interest in furthering Georgia’s hospitality, history and heritage remain high on his agenda. The Governor took time out of his hectic schedule to sign a Proclamation honoring Peter Bonner, historian, author and president of Historical & Hysterical Tours, Inc., of Jonesboro, Georgia.

Dressed in period garb, Bonner joined the Governor to receive his award of recognition for the more than fifteen years he has been touring thousands of Georgia visitors with his longestrunning Gone With The Wind Tour which, it is estimated, has economically impacted the area with an estimated $3.2-million in revenues.

James McSweeney, Regional Administrator of the National Archives facility in Jonesboro, joined in the ceremony honoring the Clayton County historian who, in addition to his year-round tour business, continues to bring his interactive history programs to countless thousands of metro-Atlanta students assisting teachers with the heritage of native American Indians, the Revolutionary and Civil War periods, as well as his original black history programs.

“Furthering historical and civic literacy is one of the primary objectives of the National Archives,” McSweeney said, “and what Peter Bonner does is an invaluable service to the community and our nation,” McSweeney added.

Governor Perdue asked Bonner to autograph a copy of his latest book, Lost in Yesterday, and said, “I have an autographed copy of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind on the coffee table in my living room, Peter. Your book will be beside hers on that table,” the Governor said of Bonner’s 70th Anniversary tribute to Margaret Mitchell and his historical account of the decisive two-day battle of Jonesboro during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864.

For additional information, contact The Manhattan Group, Inc., Julie Stein or D.A. Martin at 678.773.2674, or email them at: manhattangroup@mindspring.com