Albert Rosellini

Albert Rosellini
15th Governor of Washington
In office January 14, 1957 – January 11, 1965
Lieutenant	John Cherberg
Preceded by	Arthur B. Langlie
Succeeded by	Daniel J. Evans
Personal details
Born	Albert Dean Rosellini January 21, 1910(1910-01-21) Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Died	October 10, 2011(2011-10-10) (aged 101) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Ethel K. McNeil
Profession	Lawyer
Religion	Roman Catholic

Albert Dean Rosellini (January 21, 1910 – October 10, 2011) was the 15th Governor of the state of Washington for two terms, from 1957 to 1965, and was the first Italian American, Roman Catholic governor elected west of the Mississippi River. During a political career that spanned 40 years, Rosellini was an activist leader who worked to reform the state's prisons and mental health facilities, expand the state highway system, create the University of Washington Medical School and Dental School, and build the second floating bridge across Lake Washington. On March 18, 2011, Rosellini became the longest-lived U.S. state governor ever, having reached a lifespan of 101 years and 56 days on that date. This record was formerly held by Jimmie Davis of Louisiana, who died in 2000 at the age of 101 years and 55 days.

Biography

Early life

Rosellini was born in Tacoma, Washington, the only son of Italian immigrants. He worked his way through college and law school at the University of Washington. At the age of 29, he was elected to the Washington State Senate as its youngest member, representing the 33rd district in south Seattle, the home of many Italian immigrants. A New Deal Democrat, Rosellini served from 1939 to 1957, eventually rising to the rank of majority leader. He was elected governor in 1956.

Political career

As governor, Rosellini coupled personal charm with decades of political know-how, developing a reputation for decisiveness and ability to move ahead on long-stalled projects. Don Hannula, longtime political columnist for The Seattle Times, wrote in 1996, "He was not a man of empty rhetoric. He got things done. His legacy is everywhere." In order to promote economic development, Rosellini established a state department of commerce and championed the Seattle World's Fair in 1962. He shepherded construction of the longest floating bridge in the world, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, which was opened in 1963, and carries State Route 520 over Lake Washington from Seattle to Medina. The bridge is named after him. In addition, he was a tireless supporter of higher education, strengthening the state university system and developing a system of junior colleges. During his time in office, Rosellini also reformed the state budget process and balanced the budget. Rosellini was defeated in his bid for a third term as governor by Republican Daniel J. Evans in 1964. Rosellini made a comeback bid in 1972, but while he captured the Democratic nomination, he was again defeated by Evans.

In his 1997 biography, Rosellini, Immigrant's Son and Progressive Governor, author Payton Smith wrote: "He was attracted to issues where progress could be made and measured . . . Budget reform, economic development, transportation, higher education and institutions were the core matters to which he devoted his talent and governmental know-how."

In order to support projects, he raised the state sales tax from 3.5 cents to 4 cents, prompting Republicans to dub him "Taxellini."

After leaving office in 1965, Rosellini returned to the practice of law, and also became a political consultant, specializing in matters of the liquor and entertainment industries. Over the years, Rossellini served as an elder statesman of the state Democratic Party, mentoring political figures such as current Washington governor Christine Gregoire and former governor Gary Locke. In 2003, Rosellini was back in the news briefly when he was reported to have delivered campaign contributions to Seattle City Council members on behalf of strip-club owners, one of whom was a convicted racketeer. Rosellini was never charged in the scandal that became known as "Strippergate."

Until his death, "The Gov" still attended fundraisers for candidates and helped raise money for charities, particularly the Washington State Olympics Committee, which he chaired for many years. As the Pacific Northwest has flourished, many local academics, media columnists, and political veterans have concluded that Rosellini was the state's best governor of modern times. Danny Westneat, columnist for The Seattle Times, wrote in 2005, "His record makes most governors after him look like slackers."

Later years and death

On January 21, 2010, Rosellini celebrated his 100th birthday, becoming one the few U.S. state governors ever to reach the age of 100. Governor Rosellini was a member of the Washington Athletic Club from 1935 until his death.

On October 10, 2011, Rosellini died in Seattle from natural causes. He was 101 years old.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Arthur B. Langlie	Governor of Washington 1957–1965	Succeeded by Dan Evans
Honorary titles
Preceded by Elmer Lee Andersen	Oldest living US governor November 15, 2004 – October 10, 2011	Succeeded by Raul Hector Castro