Bob Taft at portrait unveiling photograph

Dated March 30, 1999, this photograph shows Ohio Governor Bob Taft speaking at the unveiling of his predecessor George Voinovich's official portrait at the Ohio Statehouse. Taft was born on January 8, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts, but was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree in government from Yale University, a master's degree in government from Princeton University, and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati Law School. Before becoming governor in 1999, Taft served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Hamilton County's commissioner, and Ohio's secretary of state. During his two terms as governor, he focused on creating jobs, building up Ohio's technology sector, and improving Ohio's school systems, especially those located in underserved communities