Governor's Letters

Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Governor, Territory of Guam

My wife, son, daughters and I would like to tell you how much your letter meant to us. As you may be aware,our island is a very family oriented society, so the unique way you decided to honor your father really touched our hearts.

Unfortunately, we did not receive your letter in time to prepare the proclamation and return it to you and your mother by July 17. But, my family and I held a ceremony in remembrance of your father and all the other cancer victims in our house on that date.

We have not planted the seeds yet, because our Government House is being renovated right now, but my wife will plant them as soon as the repairs are completed and a special flower pot is built. We have already alerted the media and they are willing to cover the story as another way of focusing attention on this devastating disease. I assure you that we will send pictures and articles as soon as we can.

Mike Lowry, Governor, State of Washington

Thank you for your letter, the wonderful tribute to your father, and for the seeds. At a time when so many people are jaded and distant from relatives and friends, it is encouraging and uplifting to find a son who not only loves, but freely expresses his love and appreciation of his parents.

Part of the seeds have been given to Val Gerst, a member of my staff, and an avid gardener. The rest have been given to the head gardener responsible for the State Capitol Campus. We have a beautiful campus here and believe the four-o’clocks will be a wonderful addition.

Thank you again for writing and sharing your love and your story with us. Yours is one of those stories that renews our faith in human condition and reminds us that there is much love and goodness in this world. My personal best to you and your mother.

Roy Romer, Governor State of Colorado

I was very touched by your letter and your love for your father and your dedication to his memory. With your efforts, there will be many four-o’clocks blooming throughout this country as a tribute to Jim Donahoe.

I have had your seeds planted in the gardens of the Governor’s Mansion here in Denver. The Mansion is located at 400 E. Eighth Avenue, near the Capitol and downtown Denver. I hope that will be an appropriate Colorado memorial to your father.

Mrs. Roemer and I send out best wishes to you and to your mother.

Lynne Waihee, First Lady, State of Alaska

My husband, Governor John Waihee, and I were touched by your letter describing your tribute for your late father. I can think of no more appropriate way for you to demonstrate your ongoing appreciation of his memory than the way you have chosen; by planting flowers around the nation, you ensure that his legacy will live on.

I am delighted that these beautiful four-’clock plants are now growing in our Island home. We will be very proud to add them to the garden at Washington Palace, the historic residence of Hawaii’s governors.

It is also good to know that these memorial blooms will be growing in Kula, Maui, as well. On behalf of everyone there, as well as our family here at Washington Palace, I wish you our warmest aloha.

George Allen, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia

Thank you for your letter concerning the tribute you have arranged for your father. Your dedication to his memory is admirable, and I applaud you for the work you have done to honor his fighting spirit by making four-o’clock plants a national symbol for cancer victims.

Susan and I are pleased to be able to aid you in your efforts. My wife has planted the seeds you sent on the grounds of the Executive Mansion where they will stand as a tribute to all those Americans whose lives have been cut short by cancer. It is out hope that in the months and years ahead your valuable efforts will help all Americans to resolve to find a cure for this tragic killer.

E. Benjamin Nelson, Governor, State of Nebraska

I was pleased to receive your request. The tribute you have organized in memory of your father and all others who have died from cancer is a wonderful gesture. I commend you on this outstanding project; your thoughtfulness is remarkable.. I want to than you for including Diane and I in this touching tribute; we are happy to be of assistance to you.

You will be pleased to know that the seeds from your father’s four-o’clock plants have been planted in the garden at the Governor’s Mansion.

I will proclaim July 17, 1994 as “Four-o’clocks Across America Day” in Nebraska, and I will ask all Nebraska citizens to take due recognition thereof.

Ann Richards, Governor, State of Texas

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father, Jim Donahoe, and I want to express my deepest condolences on his death. Your campaign to share your father’s love of four-o’clock plants with the rest of the nation by having them planted in every state is touching, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to a man who touched your life so deeply.

As you requested, the four-o’clock seeds that you included with your letter will be planted on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Building. The people of Texas express great admiration and support for all who have struggled with cancer and lost. I know that, like other cancer victims, your father’s fight to conquer this tragic disease was courageous. I also know that, like other cancer victims’ families, the Donahoe family shared every triumph and setback with Jim throughout his battle. The plants and flowers that grow from them will serve as a constant reminder of your father’s brave bout with cancer.

I join you not only in mourning the death of your father but also in celebrating his life. I know that he will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him, and that his memory and love of four-o’clocks will continue to inspire his family and friends.

Parris N. Glendening, Governor, State of Maryland

Thank you for your recent letter and copies of the articles outlining your efforts. Participating in your fathers tribute was a pleasure and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of “Four-o’clocks Across America.”

Your dedication to your fathers memory is a wonderful recognition of the relationship you and your father shared. The relationship between a father and a son is very important. Your “Four-o’clocks Across America” program not only promotes the American Cancer Society, but also stresses the importance of family ties to all who are touched by your endeavors.

Once again, thank you for the kind words and the update on your efforts. Please accept my best wishes for continued success.

Angus S. king, Jr., Governor, State of Maine

Thank you for writing to e about your “Four-o’clocks Across America” tribute to your father, Jim. Losing family and friends to cancer is a difficult ordeal. However, I cannot think of a better way in which to pay your respects to your father and to all Americans who have passed away due to cancer than with the gift of life.

The gift of life which the planting of your father’s seeds represent will remind everyone in Augusta, Maine and across the country the importance of finding a cure for cancer as soon as possible.

I have already planted the seeds in the flower garden of Maine’s Governor’s Mansion, the Baline House, and I will see to it that the Four-o’clock seeds are planted at the entrance of the Capitol Building in Augusta.

Thank you for including me in your seed drive and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor to bring a cure for cancer. May Jim Donahoe never be forgotten.

Jim Folsom, Governor, State of Alabama

Thank you so much for writing to Marsha and me regarding the project you have initiated in memory of your late father. I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and I convey my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I share your concern for recognition of those whose lives are affected by cancer. Marsha, in fact, has agreed to serve on a breast cancer awareness committee with the governor’s spouses from across the nation. The efforts of these individuals should encourage everyone to learn more about this devastating illness.

In memory of your father, Marsha and I have planted the four o’clock seeds at the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery. When we see these bloom, we will remember your touching tribute to your father and to all those who suffer the effects of cancer.

Marc Racicot, Governor, State of Montana

I received your thoughtful and generous gift of four-o’clock flower seeds. I will personally see that they are planted. I lost my father to cancer several years ago, so I find your tribute to your dad especially touching. I would like to pass on my warmest regards for your project to honor those Americans affected by cancer.

If you ever come to Montana we would love to have stop in and see your dad’s four-o’clocks in bloom.

Again, than you for the important work you are doing in the fight against cancer. God bless.

Susan Bayh, First Lady, State of Indiana

Than you for inviting Evan and me to participate in the nationwide tribute to your father, Jim Donahoe. We are pleased to participate in this tribute by planting the four-o’clocks at the Indiana Governor’s Residence.

We appreciate your efforts on behalf of all Americans affected by cancer. Best wishes to you and your family.

Nancy Jones Schafer, First Lady, State of North Dakota

Thank you for your letter explaining the tribute to your father. We would be very happy to plant the four-o’clock seeds that you sent, here at the Governor’s Residence. The Residence has many beautiful flower beds, and I feel that the plants would be a very appropriate addition to our gardens.

I would like to express my condolences on the loss of your father to cancer. I lost my first husband to cancer, so I understand the deep sense of loss that you are experiencing. It is through tributes such as you have started for your father that his spirit will live on. I am delighted to see that the Postmasters in Fargo and Bismark have also agreed to participate. Any recognition that is brought to the public’s attention of those who suffer from or have lost a loved one to cancer is helpful.

Thank you, Kevin, for contacting us to participate in the tribute to your father. I am sure that he would be very proud of what you have done in his memory. I will think of you and your family when the four-o’clocks are in full bloom.

Tommy G. Thompson, Governor, State of Wisconsin

Thank you for your letter regarding the tribute for your father. I appreciate the time you took to write and am pleased you wish the State of Wisconsin to participate.

I am pleased to report the four-o’clock seeds were planted at the Executive Residence on July 17 in memory of your father. Many visitors enjoy touring the Executive Residence and its gardens throughout the summer. I am confident the four-o’clock plants will be a wonderful addition to the grounds.

Again, thank you for writing and best wishes.

John R. McKernan, Jr. , Governor, State of Maine

Olympia J. Snowe, First Lady, State of Maine and Member of Congress

Thank you for the touching letter about your father, and how he appreciated the beauty of the four-o’clock plant. The tribute that you are giving him and others who have suffered from cancer is wonderful.

We will have the four-o’clock seeds that you sent in memory of your father planted in our flower garden here at the Blaine House for everyone to enjoy.

We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We hope you and your family will find comfort in the many and fond memories you have of your father, and that this will help ease the pain of your loss.

Zell Miller, Governor, State of Georgia

Thank you for your letter concerning your planned tribute for your father. Shirley and I are happy to plant the four-o’clock seeds you furnished in the garden at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.

Because your father loved this particular kind of flower, your tribute is most fitting, and I am glad that your mother is able to share in this loving gesture.

Edward T. Schafer, Governor, State of North Dakota

Thank you for sending the seeds for four-o’clock plants to the North Dakota Governor’s Residence. The seeds will be planted at the Residence, and I am sure they will bloom beautifully in tribute to your father and many other unfortunate victims of cancer.

Nancy and I send our blessing to you and your family. Best of luck as you continue this beautiful tribute to your father and all cancer victims.

Jim Edgar, Governor, State of Illinois

Than you for your letter. I appreciate your concern and your interest in this tribute to your dad. I have asked the Executive Mansion staff to plant the four-o’clock seeds.

Ermalee Hickel, First Lady, State of Alaska

What a fitting tribute to your father- I’m sure your mother will be quite touched when she hears of your efforts on July 17 , your dad’s birthday. So many of us have lost loved ones to cancer, and planting a special flower, such as the four-o’clock, is a fine and comforting remembrance.

Our Governor’s House gardener will be planting the seeds in our beautiful gardens this week, and I look forward to their maturity.

Do give your mother my best wishes on July 17. I hope to remember your father, as well as many other cancer victims, when the four-o’clocks bloom next year in the Governor’s House gardens. God bless.

Joan Finney, Governor, State of Kansas

Thank you for your letter of recent date. I would be pleased to plant the four-o’clock plants in memory of your father, Jim Donahoe, on the Statehouse Grounds in Topeka, Kansas. With kindest regards.

Howard Dean, M.D., Governor, State of Vermont

It is my pleasure to participate in the tribute you have planned for your father. I will proclaim July 17 as “Four-o’clocks Across America Day” in Vermont. I am pleased your dad’s four-o’clock seeds are growing in Burlington and Montpelier.

Carolyn Hunt, First Lady, State of North Carolina

Thank you for the beautiful letter about your father and his love for four-o’clock plants. I will be honored to plant his seeds on the grounds of the Executive Mansion as a tribute to him. They will be a wonderful addition to the gardens.

Please send our best to your mother-- she is very lucky to have such a wonderful son. Governor Hunt and I will be thinking of you and your family on July 17.

James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor, State of North Carolina

I know you have received a letter from Mrs. Hunt about the four-o’clocks that will be planted at the Executive Mansion. It sounds like the flowers will be a beautiful tribute to your father all over the nation.

I am enclosing copies of proclamations issued over the last year in North Carolina intended to raise awareness of our citizens about cancer. We are losing many fine folks, but the research institutions in our state are working hard towards finding a cure.

You and your mother will be in my thoughts on July 17. My best personal regards.

Stephen Merrill, Governor, State of New Hampshire

Thank you for the letter and four-o’clock seeds you sent me.

I am sorry to hear of your father’s lost battle to cancer. My wife, Heather, has been extremely active in promoting cancer awareness across the State of New Hampshire. Please be assured that we will proclaim July 17 as “Four-o’clocks Across America Day.” I assure you, your seeds will be planted at the Governor’s Residence and the State House so we may all enjoy their beauty and also pause and reflect upon the many lives touched by this dreadful disease.

John Engler, Governor, State of Michigan

I was pleased to learn of your efforts to honor the memory of your father by planting four-o’clocks across the nation and, at the same time, raise public awareness and commitment to the goal of curing cancer.

You certainly have my commitment to do whatever I can in Michigan to prevent and eliminate the misery and loss of lives due to cancer.

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Governor, State of Connecticut

Thank you for your letter and the four-o’clock seeds. I appreciate your sharing the seeds with me and would like to assure you they will be planted in Connecticut.

Pat Fordice, First Lady, State of Mississippi

I am so pleased to plant the four-o’clock seeds on the Mansion grounds as a tribute to a special man in your life, your dad, Jim Donahoe. It is my hope too that a cure for cancer will be found and out friends and family will no longer suffer and die from this ravaging disease.

Rhea Chiles, First Lady, State of Florida

Thank you so much for your recent letter explaining the tribute you have organized for your father, Jim Donahoe. I am happy to accept the four-o’clock seeds on behalf of the State of Florida, to be planted on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion. We are honored to participate in this tribute and will be very pleased to share your father’s gift of these lovely plants with all of our visitors to the Mansion.