Governor Sonny Perdue joined lottery chief Margaret DeFrancisco, to celebrate the lottery's transfer of more than 10 billion dollars to the state. Perdue says it was the vision of former governor Zell Miller which helped make the lottery successful. "He recognized then what we recognize here today and celebrating here today. The lottery is not just about winning numbers, lucky numbers or matching numbers. When it really comes down to it, the lottery's contribution to education means a chance for each and every Georgia student to receive a world class education." Lottery officials presented Perdue with a three foot wide oversized check, made out to Georgia students in the amount of $10 billion dollars. Created in 1993, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has funded nearly 1 million Hope scholarships. And, the program has made it possible for more than 860-thousand 4-year olds to attend pre-kindergarten programs statewide.
