HU Welcomes Gov. Kaine for Commencement

Hampton, VA - Hampton University welcomes the Honorable Timothy Kaine, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as the keynote speaker for the 2006 Commencement Exercises on May 14.

Commencement will be held at Armstrong Stadium at 10 a.m. The Convocation Center and Holland Hall will serve as the rain sites.

Kaine was inaugurated as the 70th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 14, 2006. His successful campaign emphasized four principles to improve Virginia's quality of life: raising the bar for public education from competence to excellence; finding common-sense solutions to Virginia's transportation challenges; creating jobs in every part of the state; and giving local governments better tools to serve their citizens.

An experienced leader whose public service career has focused on strong values and expanding opportunity for families Kaine grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, working in his father's iron working and welding shop. While in law school, he took a year off to work as a Christian missionary. Prior to his election as Governor, Kaine was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2001, having previously served four terms on the Richmond City Council, including two terms as Mayor.

While City Councilman and Mayor of Richmond, Kaine improved the city's business climate, cutting taxes and enhancing services. Over 76,000 jobs were created in the metro Richmond area during his tenure. He built the city's first new schools in a generation, without raising taxes.

As Lt. Governor, Kaine worked with Governor Mark Warner to make unprecedented state spending cuts, including a 30% cut to his own salary. He was also a leader in the 2004 effort to reform Virginia's budget and fully-funded public schools for the first time in a decade. Kaine also began an effort - and is continuing it as Governor - to create a new public university in Southside, the only region of Virginia that lacks a four-year college.

Kaine is married to Anne Holton, a former juvenile court judge and the daughter of former Republican Governor Linwood Holton. Their three children - Nat, Woody, and Annella - attend Richmond public schools.