[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S46-S47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ALBERT D. ROSELLINI

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize a very special advocate and former Governor of my home State 
of Washington who is celebrating his 100th birthday on Thursday.
  Albert D. Rosellini served two terms as Governor of Washington State, 
first being elected in 1956. Before he was elected Governor, he served 
as the deputy prosecutor of King County and 18 consecutive years in the 
State senate.
  Throughout his career, Governor Rosellini has been a dedicated public 
servant and an inspiration to generations of public servants. I know 
that Governor Rosellini's knowledge, drive and passion for service has 
made my home state a better place to live and work. It is an honor to 
have had the opportunity to earn the support and advice of such an 
extraordinary figure in my State's history.
  In the State senate, Albert was a champion for labor, small business 
and equality, introducing an unfair practice bill to ensure small 
businesses receive decent prices, a fair employment practices bill, and 
an equal wage bill for women.
  He strived to improve the quality of education in Washington State by 
supporting measures to improve retirement programs and raise salaries 
for teachers. He also promoted improvements to schools for the mentally 
disabled, deaf and blind. As a sponsor of the Youth Protection Act, 
Albert promoted progressive correctional programs for delinquents and 
revitalized penal institutions and juvenile institutions that are still 
in use today.
  In 1951, he introduced a bill that created a teaching hospital on the 
campus of the University of Washington, continuing his goal to improve 
education and medical facilities across the State. That hospital is the 
basis of the acclaimed medical center we have there today.
  As Governor, Albert worked to diversify Washington State's industry 
by creating the Department of Commerce and Economic Development which 
brought international trade to Washington. This department helped 
launch the high tech industry in this area and developed Overlake Park 
in Bellevue where Microsoft and other high tech companies are currently 
established.
  The leadership abilities displayed by Governor Rosellini were quickly 
noticed by his colleagues and he was elected chairman of the National 
Governors Association during his second term as Governor.
  Since leaving office, Governor Rosellini has continued his commitment 
to better Washington State. In 1979 he helped our State's athletes 
attend and compete on the world's stage

[[Page S47]]

as the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee for Washington 
State. Additionally, as a result of the great improvements made to 
Washington's transportation system while Governor, he was made a member 
of the Washington State Transportation Committee for 11 years, acting 
as chairman for the last 2.
  I greatly respect the Governor for his unmatched dedication to public 
service and the State of Washington and thank him for making such a 
critical difference in the history of my State.

                          ____________________