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Reaction to Cecil Underwood's death
Here are statements from West Virginia officials on the death of former West Virginia Gov. Cecil Underwood:
Gov. Joe Manchin, Democrat: "This is a very sad day for all of West Virginia. We have lost a governor who, through two separate terms, served our state and its citizens with honor and dignity and, most importantly, class. We have also lost a dear friend.
"Gov. Underwood was loved as a father, grandfather and husband, and when he lost his beloved wife, Hovah, we all knew that things would never be the same for him. They've now been reunited and I'm sure that I speak for all West Virginians in sending our thoughts and prayers out to the entire Underwood family."
U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va.: "Erma (Byrd) and I were friends with Cecil and Hovah Underwood for more than 50 years. They were both wonderful people. I fondly remember celebrating my 80th birthday at the Governor's Mansion with the Underwoods. A devoted public servant, Cecil's many contributions to the great state of West Virginia will never be forgotten. Those of us fortunate enough to call him a friend will always remember his engaging personality and personal warmth. Today, my thoughts are with the Underwood family and with all West Virginians who are mourning the passing of a great and decent man."
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.: "Governor Underwood was a man of profound faith, a forward-looking leader, and a public servant in the truest sense. He'll be remembered as someone who dedicated his entire life and career to the causes of people around him. I always enjoyed working with him on opportunities to move our state forward. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and far-reaching community of friends."
Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va.: "My family's thoughts and prayers are for Governor Underwood's family. During this week of Thanksgiving, West Virginians are indeed thankful for the service of native sons such as Cecil Underwood, who literally dedicated his lifetime to serving others. He was our youngest and oldest governor for good reason. He could always see a new horizon for our state and its people whom he loved."
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.: Governor Underwood was a true servant to our state. As an educator and a first-class leader, he put our state first and touched the lives of countless West Virginians. We can all celebrate, honor and remember his commitment to public service and to the people of West Virginia. While I am saddened to hear of his passing, I take solace in knowing that he has joined his wife Hovah. My heart goes out to the Underwood family and I know that West Virginians across our state will be keeping them in their prayers."
Former Gov. Bob Wise, Democrat: "I am very sorry to learn of Governor Underwood's death. He devoted his entire life to West Virginia in many different ways -- as its chief executive, in education, and in business. He left a legacy that in so many ways has improved life for generations of West Virginians. He constantly demonstrated how to govern effectively in a bipartisan manner. He was a gentleman in the finest sense of the word, and we all give thanks for his public service. Sandy (Wise) and I express our deepest condolences to the Underwood family for the loss of this true public servant."
Huntington City Council member Cal Kent, Republican: "He was always very much concerned about the economic future of the state and tried to reverse the trends as he saw them. That, along with attracting jobs and business to the state, were almost his exclusive focus during his second term."
"In my opinion, he was the one who brought the interstate highway system to West Virginia. It was a long process that took many years to complete, but he was there at the beginning."
West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Douglas E. McKinney: "Today is a sad day in the annals of West Virginia history. The passage of Governor Cecil H. Underwood deeply saddens not only West Virginia Republicans but all West Virginians who ever met him or who are familiar with his accomplishments. ... Cecil and his devoted wife, Hovah, will also be remembered for the courtliness, statesmanship and friendly fashion in which they inhabited the governor's manse and for the programs they introduced.
"In 1958 Governor Underwood instituted the Hi-Y Youth in Government Program, which continues to flourish today and which has afforded hundreds of West Virginia students the opportunity to learn firsthand the inner workings of our state government. It inspired many to take active roles in the political arena and was a source of great pride to him. He continued to play an active role in the program as an advisor and supporter until his death.
"His soft-spoken manner and an ever ready joke were his trademarks, which gained one's attention to hear his thoughtful and erudite messages. They also earned him the respect which allowed him to pass his legislative agendas in spite of overwhelming Democrat majorities in the Legislature during his terms in office. His 1998 Tax Study was well ahead of its time and has been repeatedly validated by more recent studies.
"Success in business, education and politics did nothing to change his friendly, humorous demeanor nor his ability to communicate with the public on all levels. He never declined an invitation to speak on behalf of his party even after being beset with health problems in his later years. We are truly thankful for all he contributed to the Republican Party and truly regret his passage. He was one of a kind and will be long remembered as an outstanding figure in West Virginia's colorful political history."
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts: "Governor Underwood served unselfishly in everything he did, whether it was an elected office or involvement with charitable, business or community organizations. He was a testament to what a 'public citizen' should be."
West Virginia Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan: "Not only is his passing a tremendous loss for the state, but for me personally, because of the strong bond of personal friendship we developed in our respective roles."
Interim WVU President C. Peter Magrath: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of former Gov. Cecil Underwood. He was an alumnus of West Virginia University and dedicated his entire life to serving and improving West Virginia. ... He also provided his talents and abilities as a leader in higher education (as president of Salem College and Bethany College) and in service to the coal and chemical industries. We thank him for his service to the state of West Virginia and will miss his leadership. I know his son, Craig, one of WVU's distinguished Rhodes Scholars, and I and all of West Virginia University extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Craig and the entire Underwood family."
Delegate Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha: "Governor Underwood was a tremendous leader and a kind and gentle man who inspired others with his humor, his energy, his intellect, and his honesty.
"I appreciate so much the opportunities he gave me to work in his office during his second term as our Governor and his appointment of me to serve in the legislature. It was a pleasure to work with him and he set an example of public service that will be his lasting legacy.
"He loved his family and he loved the State of West Virginia. He and Mrs. Underwood gave more than a half century of energy and dedication to making life better for their fellow West Virginians. Our state is a better place because of Cecil Underwood and he will certainly be missed."
Agriculture Commissioner Gus R. Douglass, Democrat: “I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of former West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood. He and I started our careers in government at around the same time. Throughout his career, he was always a great friend to agriculture, particularly to student farmers in 4-H and FFA, and a great personal friend to me. He was a true gentleman, and will go down in history as one of West Virginia’s greatest leaders. He will be missed.”
