Half-Staff West Virginia Flags – Honoring Hulett Smith
American Flags and West Virginia Flags to fly at half-staff today through the day of interment in the state of West Virginia in honor of former Governor Hulett Smith.
According to the office of the governor:
Former West Virginia Gov. Hulett C. Smith, was a Beckley WV native who attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley College and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. In the private sector, he worked in insurance, health care, banking and radio. During World War II Smith served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. Smith was elected and served as governor from 1965 until 1969.
During his administration, Smith signed into law the bill repealing the death penalty in West Virginia, endorsed a constitutional amendment creating the “Modern Budget Amendment” making the governor responsible for developing the state budget, and launched major environmental initiatives regulating strip mining and air pollution. In addition, Gov. Smith initiated a “government to the people” program that enabled interaction between citizens and public officials.
Smith later served on many boards and commissions primarily focused on transportation, education and the arts. He also served on the National Council for Revision of State Constitutions and the Judicial Inquiry Commission. A close friend of former President Jimmy Carter, Smith worked closely with the Carters in growing the Friendship Force.