Lawmakers unanimously approve political pork at Wild Hog Supper

ATLANTA - On Monday, Georgia lawmakers begin a 40-day session sure to see it&#39;s share of political wrangling, heated debates and downright bad blood. But Sunday night, Republicans and Democrats from all corners of the state got together for a time-honored tradition they can all agree on huge, foil-lined platters of barbecued hog.<br> <br> The Wild Hog Supper, now in its 44th year, has become as much a part of Georgia&#39;s legislative session as the banging of the opening gavel. Set on the night before the Legislature&#39;s session starts, the event serves as an annual ``welcome back&#39;&#39; for politicians, lobbyists and capitol staffers many of whom haven&#39;t seen each other since the previous year&#39;s session adjourned.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s like the tailgating before the first football game of the season,&#39;&#39; said Rep. Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, the majority whip in the House. ``Everybody&#39;s getting ready to go.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> State Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said the supper has its roots in a simple, covered-dish dinner lawmakers once held in an Atlanta hotel. The event&#39;s popularity got a boost, he said, when members from Wilcox County started serving wild hog.<br> <br> ``Sometimes the line went around the elevators,&#39;&#39; said Irvin, Georgia&#39; agriculture commissioner since 1969. ``It grew and grew and grew.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> On Sunday, the parking lot of the Georgia Freight Depot was full fifteen minutes before the supper began and a line of cars was backed up outside an overflow parking deck around the corner.<br> <br> About 1,500 people were expected to attend the two-hour reception.<br> <br> Bob Addison is the second-generation founder of the feast. His father, E.C. ``Bo&#39;&#39; Addison, started bringing hogs to the event after trapping them in the swamps outside of the family home in Abbeville about 150 miles south of Atlanta.<br> <br> ``Daddy loved politics,&#39;&#39; said Addison, who runs a hunting lodge and estimates that about 50 people from his hometown help with the feast each year. ``I&#39;m not as political as daddy.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Addison and his family brought 16 pigs, 40 gallons of Brunswick stew and 15 gallons of barbecue sauce to Sunday&#39;s event.<br> <br> Thousands more pounds of fried chicken, regular barbecue, boiled sweet corn, ice cream and other food rounded out the menu, which now boasts a list of corporate sponsors.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s a fun time a chance to meet and greet everybody while everybody&#39;s still getting along,&#39;&#39; said Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah, whose health-conscious plate full of fruit and vegetables looked out of place compared to hundreds of platters weighted down with ribs, pulled pork and other treats. ``It doesn&#39;t last, so we enjoy it while we can.&#39;&#39;<br>

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