2007.03.28: March 28, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Tanzania: Politics: State Government: Columbus Dispatch: Taft's portrait unveiled at Ohio's Statehouse Rotunda
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2007.03.28: March 28, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Tanzania: Politics: State Government: Columbus Dispatch: Taft's portrait unveiled at Ohio's Statehouse Rotunda
Taft's portrait unveiled at Ohio's Statehouse Rotunda
"Wow," Taft said after his introduction. "This is a special day. I'm overwhelmed that all of you would take the time to be here today." Taft's portrait, everyone agreed, was very good -- "even better than he looks in real life," one observer quipped. Taft's two terms were marked by billions of dollars spent on school construction, a tax-code overhaul and improved education standards and accountability. They were marred by an ethics scandal and plummeting popularity. Ohio Governor Robert Taft served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania in the 1960's.
Taft's portrait unveiled at Ohio's Statehouse Rotunda
Taft now officially picture of happiness
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 3:36 AM
By Alan Johnson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Caption: Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and his wife, Hope, pose next to the governor's official portrait in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday, March 27, 2007, in Columbus, Ohio AP Photo/Columbus Dispatch, Tim Revell
For a brief moment, Bob Taft stood at the epicenter of state government, basking in the glow of something he was often denied as governor -- a genuine standing ovation.
Two times, in fact, the crowd of VIPs gathered at the Statehouse Rotunda yesterday for the unveiling of Taft's official portrait rose in unison, warmly applauding Ohio's 67th governor.
Clearly enjoying his moment in the sun as a private citizen after many stormy days as governor, Taft was all smiles -- just as in the portrait by Toledo artist Leslie Adams.
In Adams' painting, Taft stands in front of a large stained-glass state seal. Beams of light from the sun rising over Mount Logan dart out around him, and the bundle of 17 arrows, representing Ohio's position as the 17th state, is at his hip. He holds a book, Along the Way, that includes photographs he and others took during his travels across the state in eight years as governor.
"Wow," Taft said after his introduction. "This is a special day. I'm overwhelmed that all of you would take the time to be here today."
Taft's portrait, everyone agreed, was very good -- "even better than he looks in real life," one observer quipped.
It will hang in the William Howard Taft Hearing Room at the Statehouse, facing the portrait of his great-grandfather, the 27th president of the U.S.
Adams was commissioned to paint Taft's portrait at a cost of $18,000. The money came from 36 private contributions.
Taft sat for the portrait about 15 times, up to three hours each session.
Taft; his wife, Hope; and their daughter, Anna, all approved of Adams' portrait.
Taft said he was apprehensive about the portrait but relaxed as the painting progressed.
Adams said her goal was to capture the "character, essence and soul of the subject." She described Taft as a "deeply caring and contemplative man."
Taft's two terms were marked by billions of dollars spent on school construction, a tax-code overhaul and improved education standards and accountability. They were marred by an ethics scandal and plummeting popularity.
The tradition of governor's portraits dates to 1867 when Gov. Rutherford B. Hayes decided the state should maintain and preserve a permanent collection of paintings of former chief executives.
The state has all but three governors in its collection -- William Bebb, William Allen and James M. Cox.
"There is a certain permanence about putting oil on canvas that you can't get with a photograph," said William K. Laidlaw, executive director of the Ohio Historical Society, which oversees the portrait collection.
Gov. Ted Strickland was traveling and could not attend the unveiling, but his wife, Frances, was there.
"It's great," she said. "I can only hope Ted's looks that good."
ajohnson@dispatch.com
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Headlines: March, 2007; RPCV Bob Taft (Tanzania); Figures; Peace Corps Tanzania; Directory of Tanzania RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Tanzania RPCVs; Politics; State Government; Ohio
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Story Source: Columbus Dispatch
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Tanzania; Politics; State Government
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