HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 10

(By Delegate Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker))

[On Behalf of All Members of the House]

 “Commemorating the life of Robert S. Kiss, devoted father and husband, Member of the West          Virginia House of Delegates, Finance Chairman, Speaker of the House, West Virginia Secretary of Revenue, long time practicing attorney and distinguished West Virginian.”

            The members of the House of Delegates hereby express their profound sadness at the passing of one of their own, the Honorable Robert S. Kiss, Former Speaker of the House of Delegates, and a distinguished West Virginian; 

            Robert Stephen Kiss was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and raised in a military family. He lived many places growing up and received a B.A. degree in Economics from The Ohio State University in 1979 and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1982. Upon graduation, he moved to Beckley, West Virginia, which he called home, to begin his career practicing law, remaining a West Virginian by choice for the rest of his life.  He was a devoted Catholic and attended Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Charleston, West Virginia;

            Bob Kiss, as he was known to members and staff alike, began his public service in 1988 when he was first elected to the House of Delegates from Raleigh County.  His education in economics, finance and the law combined with his keen intellect so impressed then Speaker Chuck Chambers that he was appointed Vice Chairman of the House Finance Committee his second term as Delegate. Two years later he was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, a position he held until he was elected Speaker in 1997;

            Bob married the former Melinda Ashworth of Beckley, West Virginia.  Those who knew him well knew of his devotion and love for his family and his belief that the greatest achievement in his life was his marriage to Melinda and the birth of his two sons, Carter and Cameron, of whom he was immensely proud.  He dedicated his life to them, and in his family he found his greatest joy;

            While serving in the House, he made many close friendships among the membership and staff, and no one could ask for a more compassionate and kinder person to call their friend.  While most people recognized that he was probably the smartest person in the room, and he was, he was also so quick to laugh, had a wicked sense of humor, and loved being on the receiving, and giving, end of practical jokes. He often mused that if a memorial resolution was ever written for him, it should conclude with, “And he loved dogs;”

            During his first term in office, Bob quickly learned the full extent of the state’s grave financial crisis. The state was literally on the cliff of financial bankruptcy. Over the next 18 years, his vision and hard work were large contributing factors to righting the ship of state.

            Bob’s determination to find a way forward and his innate ability to work well with others across the political spectrum were instrumental in the Legislature’s work to address the state’s overwhelming pension and other debt, a failing workers’ compensation system, a medical-malpractice insurance crisis, and annual budget deficits.  The Legislature’s accomplishments during his tenure included the funding for roads and highways, water and sewer projects, school and jail construction programs, a children’s health program and higher education tuition scholarships, assuring the prompt payment of tax refunds, providing for the payment of pension and other unfunded liabilities, restoring affordable workers’ compensation and medical malpractice insurance, and many other financially sound practices we often take for granted today, not the least of which was the creation of the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Over Bob’s career in the Legislature, the credit rating of this state was slowly restored to the solid condition it maintains today.

            Many of these solutions were initiated in this House and were a direct result of his vision, and his ability to convince the House membership to take action, although at times politically unpopular, but necessary and the right thing to do. But Bob should also be remembered for his refusal to move politically popular ideas forward, despite immense pressure from either or both sides of the aisle, because of the grave fiscal impact the state would have endured.

            While Bob’s comprehension of complex facts and ability to create solutions was second to none, he never took personal credit for this Legislature’s accomplishments. He always respected, worked closely with, and gave credit to others for what this body was able to get done during his tenure.  He truly embodied what it meant to be a public servant and endeavored to put aside political differences and personal opinions to best serve the people of West Virginia. 

            After 18 years as a member of this House, 10 of which serving as Speaker, equaling the longest time ever served as Speaker in the history of West Virginia, Bob retired from public office and returned to private law practice in Charleston.  However, in 2013 at the behest of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Bob returned to public service as Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Revenue, where he directed the state revenue producing agencies, and he served until 2016.

            Bob may not have been loved by all, nor did he care to be, but he was respected by everyone.  His vision and his role in guiding the state through some of its most dire financial situations of the last 100 years cannot be overstated.  If there is a history of our state written of these times, he will always be much more than a footnote. His timeless aspirational challenge made to this House during his first Speaker’s acceptance speech in 1997 still rings true today: “Each day as we recite the prayer and pledge to begin our sessions, if we are always cognizant of those who come after us, if we make their economic and social conditions better than ours our primary concern and if we cooperate on a bipartisan basis in that pursuit, then perhaps we will not be remembered as a brief shining moment of lost opportunity and promise.  Perhaps we will instead be remembered as that generation of West Virginians which finally laid the foundation which made the State of West Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family on the face of the earth.”

            And finally, he loved dogs.  Godspeed, faithful public servant Bob Kiss.

Therefore, Be it Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That the members of the West Virginia House of Delegates hereby publicly memorialize the life of the Honorable Robert S. Kiss, and collectively mourn his death, while remembering that he leaves behind a legacy of success and accomplishment; that this House of Delegates proclaims that although the Honorable Robert S. Kiss has passed from this earthly life, he will continue to live here in the hearts of his family and those who knew him, and that this House expresses the thanks of a grateful state for his service and contribution for making this state a better place; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare and provide a certified copy of this resolution to his family; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates also cause a certified copy of this resolution to be placed in the Division of Archives and History.