CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Jim Justice gave his final remarks as governor to members of the legislature Wednesday afternoon.
Justice spoke at the House Chamber during an organizational day before the House and the Senate. Justice, the longtime basketball coach, painted members of the legislature a sports-themed picture on what they meant to him.
“I hope that you think I’ve been a decent coach, but you can’t win ballgames without great players,” Justice said. “You were the players, and you were great players. You made me proud so much it was off the chart.”
In the speech, Justice said that the state is in much better shape than his first day in office, and he credited that success to “a miracle from God.”
Justice says that one of the main successes during his two terms was the state’s economic position.
“The things we have been able to do because of the fact that we are so economically so sound, it’s unbelievable,” Justice said. “We’ve done good stuff, and you should really be proud of that.”
Throughout the speech, Justice referenced victories seen during his administration, such as the Roads to Prosperity program, recent tax cuts, tourism, and education.
Justice says the state proved the outside world of naysayers wrong.
“We pulled the rope together. We made tough, right decisions,” Justice said. “We proved them wrong, didn’t we? We proved them wrong over and over. They called us hillbillies but we proved them wrong, and now West Virginia, in many ways, is the envy of the world.”
“I promised you a rocket ship right, and we’re riding that rocket like we can’t imagine,” Justice said.
Towards the end of the speech, Justice referenced the incoming administration. Justice says him and his staff wish Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey the most success possible.
“We wish him (Morrisey) the best like you can’t imagine. For crying out loud, please, nobody root for failure,” Justice said. “I think the world of Patrick and Denise (Morrisey) and I wish them the best in every way and I stand ready to try to help them at every minute. I pray they have successes like you can’t imagine.”
In his final remarks, Justice gave state leaders one more charge.
“Keep it going,” Justice said. “I’m so proud of you, it’s off the chart. It’s been a real honor flying with you. It really has.”
Justice will be sworn in as a United States Senator on Monday. Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey will also be sworn in on Monday.