[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 40 (Friday, March 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE MEMORY OF FORMER ALABAMA GOVERNOR GUY HUNT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 6, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
to honor the memory of former Alabama Governor Guy Hunt. Our nation 
lost a wonderful friend and an individual who made numerous 
contributions toward the betterment of our state.
  A native of Holly Pond, Alabama, Governor Hunt enlisted in the United 
States Army upon graduation from Holly Pond High School and served in 
the Korean War. Following his discharge in 1956, he returned to Alabama 
where he operated an egg farm. In 1958, he was ordained a Primitive 
Baptist minister.
  Governor Hunt's political career began in 1962 when he ran for a seat 
in the Alabama Senate. He lost the election; however, in 1964, he was 
elected probate judge of Cullman County becoming the youngest probate 
judge in Alabama. Honoring a campaign promise, he stepped down after 
two terms.
  He was also active in the Republican Party, serving as state chairman 
of Ronald Reagan's presidential campaigns in 1976 and 1980. He also 
chaired Alabama's Republican delegations at the 1976 and 1980 
Republican National Conventions.
  After President Reagan won election in 1980, he appointed Governor 
Hunt state director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation 
Committee. He served on the committee until 1985 when he stepped down 
to run for governor.
  Winning the 1986 election with the most votes ever for a 
gubernatorial candidate at that time, he became Alabama's first 
Republican chief executive since Reconstruction. His election to the 
governor's office is credited with creating a two-party system in the 
state. Governor Hunt was re-elected in 1990.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering this 
dedicated public servant. Guy Hunt will be deeply missed by his 
family--his wife, Anne Smith Hunt; two sons, Keith Hunt and his wife 
Heather, and Cary Smith and his wife Jayne; five daughters, Pamella 
Hunt, Sherrie Williams, Lynn Harris and her husband Doug, Judy Gurley 
and her husband Mike, and Lois Swindal and her husband Bruce; 16 
grandchildren, Nigel Hunt, Nolan Hunt, Ashley Hunt, Kayla Hunt, Samuel 
Hunt, Heath Williams, Eric Williams, Kelly Williams, Raygen Catoe, 
Dusty Kanute, Dawn Brantley, Rachel Gurley, Caryanne Swindal, Bradley 
Swindal, Joshua Swindal, and Anna Grace Swindal; and eight great-
grandchildren, Bonnie Catoe, Katelyn Kanute, Cale Kanute, William 
Brantley, Parker Brantley, Levi Hunt, Skye Hunter, and Helen Anne 
Williams--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________