Albert Rosellini
Encyclopedia
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 and 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.
, 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.
, 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."
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.
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
, Roman Catholic governor elected west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. 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 and 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
Jimmie Davis
James Houston Davis , better known as Jimmie Davis, was a noted singer of both sacred and popular songs who served two nonconsecutive terms as the 47th Governor of Louisiana...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who died in 2000 at the age of 101 years and 55 days.
Early life
Rosellini was born in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, the only son of Italian immigrants. He worked his way through college and law school
University of Washington School of Law
The University of Washington School of Law is the law school of the University of Washington, located on the northwest corner of the main campus in Seattle, Washington.The most recent 2012 U.S...
at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. 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
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
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 TimesThe Seattle Times
The Seattle Times is a newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, US. It is the largest daily newspaper in the state of Washington. It has been, since the demise in 2009 of the printed version of the rival Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle's only major daily print newspaper.-History: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
Century 21 Exposition
The Century 21 Exposition was a World's Fair held April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962 in Seattle, Washington.Nearly 10 million people attended the fair...
in 1962. He shepherded construction of the longest floating bridge
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water and in which barge- or boat-like pontoons support the bridge deck and its dynamic loads. While pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time...
in the world, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge
The Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge—Evergreen Point is the longest floating bridge on Earth at and carries State Route 520 across Lake Washington from Seattle to Medina.The Evergreen Point of the bridge's original name is the westernmost of the three small Eastside...
, which was opened in 1963, and carries State Route 520 over Lake Washington
Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake adjacent to the city of Seattle. It is the largest lake in King County and the second largest in the state of Washington, after Lake Chelan. It is bordered by the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south and...
from Seattle to Medina
Medina, Washington
Medina is a city located in the Eastside, a region of King County, Washington, United States. Surrounded on the north, west, and south by Lake Washington, opposite Seattle, Medina is bordered by Clyde Hill and Hunts Point, as well as the satellite city of Bellevue. The city's population was 2,969...
. 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
Daniel J. Evans
Daniel Jackson Evans served three terms as the 16th Governor of the state of Washington from 1965 to 1977, and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1983 to 1989....
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
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
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
Seattle City Council
The Seattle City Council is committed to ensuring that Seattle, Washington, is safe, livable and sustainable. Nine Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections and represent the entire city, elected by all Seattle voters....
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. stateUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
governors ever to reach the age of 100
Centenarian
A centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
. 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.