[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 129 (Sunday, October 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER WEST VIRGINIA FIRST LADY HOVAH HALL 
                               UNDERWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the passing and honor 
the life and contributions of a former First Lady of the state of West 
Virginia, Hovah Hall Underwood.
  Hovah earned an AB Degree from Salem College and a certificate in 
Social Work from West Virginia University. She taught at Grantsville 
Elementary School, worked in a defense plant during World War II, and 
then served ten years as a child welfare worker in West Virginia before 
marrying Cecil Underwood in 1948.
  Hovah was a young wife and mother when she and Cecil moved into the 
Governor's mansion in 1956--Cecelia was a toddler, and Craig and Sharon 
were both born while the family lived in the mansion. She served as a 
gracious first lady all the while focusing her energies on the task of 
raising three very young children.
  In 1996, the citizens of West Virginia once again elected Cecil 
Underwood as Governor, and Hovah was once again our First Lady. 
Building upon a lifelong dedication to the work of Big Brothers/Big 
Sisters, she always liked to say that in this term she focused her 
energies on all the children of West Virginia. She was the driving 
force behind new programs to strengthen early learning and volunteerism 
in West Virginia.
  Upon learning that our state has one of the highest rates of cancer 
among women in the nation, Hovah took the lead as the catalyst for 
expanded Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening initiatives. Hovah 
Underwood took seriously the charge to serve others each day of our 
lives, and her legacy is the many thousands of lives she touched.
  At her Memorial Service, many remarked upon Hovah's wonderful smile. 
We know today that each time a young child learns to read, each time a 
``Big'' and a ``Little'' share a special moment, each time a woman is 
saved from cancer, Hovah is smiling.
  Our thoughts are with Governor Underwood, their children Cecelia 
Baker, Craig Underwood and Sharon Underwood, grandchildren Christopher 
and Coleman Richardson, Mary and Quintin Baker and Jordan and Myles 
Underwood.
  All West Virginians have lost a very special friend.

                          ____________________