Remembering Governor Cecil H. Underwood

by **Stephanie** Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:01 pm

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Douglas E. McKinney, M.D.

Monday, November 24, 2008 304.641.1205

Remembering Governor Cecil H. Underwood

CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA - 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. Remembered as both the youngest and the oldest Governor of his beloved state, 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.

Douglas E. McKinney, M.D.

Chairman, West Virginia Republican Party