January 16, 2012

Manchin Statement on Passing of Former Gov. Hulett Smith

Charleston, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today made the following statement on the passing of former Gov. Hulett Smith: 

“Gayle and I were so saddened to hear about former Gov. Hulett Smith's passing. His death is a loss for our state and nation. Gov. Smith was thefirst governor who I can remember - I remember him visiting Farmington - and he left a powerful legacy of leading our state into the future, whether it was human rights or infrastructure developments. Gov. Smith led our state through some of our worst tragedies: the Farmington mine disaster in 1968, the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant and the assassination of Dr. King.

“As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we can also remember Gov. Smith for moving our state into the civil rights area and creating the foundation for who we are today. Gov. Smith was a uniter, and I can only imagine how he would approach our political division today. I hope that his example helps all of us see the good in each other and work better together."

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