2026 Regular Session - Day 50 - Citation | Rep. Kevin Jackson

My colleagues in this chamber, if we are lucky in our lifetime, we may meet four or five true legends in our community. G. Michael Murphy, or Murph as he was known to his friends, was definitely a pillar of the Bowling Green community. Mike was a highly regarded citizen, known for his entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and for being a community leader. We lost this legend on December 11, 2025 due to cancer. Mike's passing leaves a void that may never be filled in Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky. Mike was a proud WKU graduate with his degree in civil engineering. He went on to become a fourth generation builder and contractor. Over four decades in business, Mike would become co-owner and CEO of Scott and Murphy Inc., Scott Murphy and Daniel LLC, and Hart's Contracting LLC. Murph started with a handful of employees and built that team to 250 members. Mike's philanthropy was well known, from helping the St. Joseph School expansion, the Student Mall Plaza at WKU, and helping construct our world-class soapbox derby track and many other projects. In 2010, Mike received the Bowling Green Community Impact Award for Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year. Murph's community service was legendary. He participated and gave his time and support to many areas like non-profit organizations, schools, churches, hospitals, and much more. In 2020, Mike received the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Herb Smith Lifetime Achievement Award. They've only given seven of those for his service to the Bowling Green community. Mike's family was also his most prized possession. His wife, Mickey, and their three children, Nancy, Sarah, and Cole, and their spouses, as well as those seven beautiful grandchildren who love Mimi and Edaddy very much. In closing, Mr. Speaker, a quick personal note from me. When I filed a run for state representative, the article came out in the Daily News newspaper. That night, the first person to call me was Mike Murphy. Mike was so excited, he was almost giddy. He said, you are exactly who we need to represent us in Frankfurt. I went on to make him one of my five campaign captains. That group, we had several lunches. Once a month, we would meet for lunch, talk about the campaign, politics, business, and just life in general. Mike Murphy will always have a special place in my heart and the heart of the entire Bowling Green community. Mr. Speaker, I move for adoption.