Philip H. Hoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip H. Hoff
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| 73rd Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 10, 1963 – January 9, 1969 |
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| Lieutenant | Ralph A. Foote John J. Daley |
| Preceded by | F. Ray Keyser Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Deane C. Davis |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| In office 1961–1963 |
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| Member of the Vermont Senate | |
| In office 1983–1989 |
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| Chairman of the Vermont Democratic Party | |
| In office 1973–1975 |
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| Preceded by | Leonard Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Robert Branon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip Henderson Hoff
June 29, 1924 Turners Falls, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 2018 (aged 93) Shelburne, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Joan Brower |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Rank | Seaman First Class |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Philip Henderson Hoff (born June 29, 1924 – died April 26, 2018) was an important American politician from the state of Vermont. He is best known for being the 73rd governor of Vermont from 1963 to 1969. He was the first governor from the Democratic Party in Vermont since 1853. This was a very long time without a Democratic governor!
Contents
Philip Hoff: A Vermont Leader
Early Life and Military Service
Philip Hoff was born in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. His father worked in insurance and was also a politician in Massachusetts. Philip was a talented high school football player. He even scored the winning touchdown in a big game in 1942.
Philip went to Williams College to study English. But he paused his studies to serve in World War II. He was a sailor on a submarine called the USS Sea Dog. This submarine was involved in battles across the Pacific Ocean.
He reached the rank of Seaman First Class. He worked as a quartermaster, which means he helped navigate the ship. He left the Navy in 1946. During his time in the Navy, he met Joan Brower. They got married in 1948. After the war, he went to Cornell Law School and became a lawyer in 1951.
Starting a Political Career
In 1951, Philip and Joan Hoff moved to Burlington, Vermont. Philip started his own law practice there. He also became very involved in local politics as a Democrat. He helped start a group called the Vermont Democratic Volunteers.
He served as a justice of the peace. He was also the chairman of the city's zoning board. These roles helped him learn a lot about how local government works.
Becoming Governor of Vermont
In 1960, Philip Hoff was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He served there from 1961 to 1963. As a lawmaker, he was part of a group called the "Young Turks." This group included both Democrats and Republicans. They wanted to bring new ideas and reforms to the state government.
In 1962, Hoff ran for governor of Vermont. He won the election, becoming the first Democratic governor since 1853. This was a huge victory for his party. He ran an energetic campaign against the current Republican governor.
Many things helped Hoff win. There was a disagreement among Republicans in Vermont. Also, the Democratic President John F. Kennedy was very popular at the time. Many people compared Hoff to President Kennedy.
Making a Difference in Vermont
Philip Hoff was re-elected governor in 1964 and 1966. During his time as governor, he started many new programs. These programs focused on protecting the environment and helping people. He created the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women. This group worked to improve opportunities for women.
He also cared about fairness for all people. He helped create the Vermont-New York Youth Project. This program brought students from New York City and Vermont together. They worked on summer projects at Vermont colleges. This helped students from different backgrounds learn from each other.
During his time, Vermont also made some important changes. The poll tax, which made it harder for some people to vote, was removed. New organizations were created, like the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation. This group helps students pay for college. Legal Aid, which provides legal help to people who can't afford it, was also started. And Vermont Public Television began broadcasting.
A Stand on the Vietnam War
Governor Hoff was the first Democratic governor in the country to disagree with President Lyndon B. Johnson about the Vietnam War. He later traveled around the country to support Robert F. Kennedy for president in 1968. After Kennedy was sadly assassinated, Hoff supported Eugene McCarthy.
Later Political Work and Legacy
After his time as governor, Hoff continued to be involved in politics. In the 1980s, he was elected to the Vermont Senate. He served three terms there, from 1983 to 1989. He also held many advisory and honorary positions. He was the President of the Board of Trustees at Vermont Law School. He also continued his work as a lawyer. In 1989, he helped start a law firm called Hoff, Curtis.
Death
Philip Hoff passed away on April 26, 2018, in Shelburne, Vermont. He was 93 years old.
His Legacy
Philip Hoff's life and work are remembered in Vermont. A book about him was published in 2011. It was called Philip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue in the Green Mountain State. In 2012, Castleton State College named a new building after him. It was the first building to be named in his honor.
