In 1990, he was appointed vice-chairman of the finance committee and assumed the chairmanship the following term.
In 1996, the state Democratic party nominated him to serve as Speaker of the House for the 73rd legislature, a position which he won.
He currently is tied for the longest speakership in the history of West Virginia, beaten only by his predecessor.
When the conversation turned to Kiss’ five-month-old twin sons, President Bush remarked "I've been to war.
"[1] In 2004, he announced that he would not be running for a tenth term in the House of Delegates, and would retire as speaker in 2006.