[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15778-15779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING GOVERNOR ALBERT D. ROSELLINI

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to a 
great American Governor, dedicated public servant, and community leader 
from the State of Washington, Governor Albert D. Rosellini.

[[Page 15779]]

  Governor Rosellini has the kind of classic American story that so 
many of us can tell about our parents and grandparents. The son of 
Italian immigrants, he was born Jan. 21, 1910, in Tacoma, WA. His 
father, Giovanni, opened a saloon but was forced to close it during 
Prohibition. The family then moved to Seattle's Rainier Valley.
  Rosellini was a graduate of the University of Washington law school 
in the early 1930s and was hired by King County prosecutor Warren G. 
Magnuson. He was elected to the State senate in 1938 and served for 18 
years, during which time he championed the creation of the medical and 
dental schools at the University of Washington.
  Rosellini was elected Governor of Washington in 1956 and reelected in 
1960. His first term has been praised as one of the most effective and 
progressive in our State's history. In particular, he was credited with 
improving conditions in State prisons, mental hospitals, and juvenile 
homes. Rosellini fought for more modern facilities, training of staff 
members, jobs for inmates, and forestry camps for low-risk offenders. 
He also helped push for the creation of the SR 520 floating bridge 
across Lake Washington, from Seattle to Medina, WA, that bears his name 
today.
  Governor Rosellini passed away on October 10, 2011, in Seattle at the 
age of 101. Rosellini's wife of 64 years, the former Ethel McNeil, 
passed away in 2002. Survivors include five children and 15 
grandchildren. He will be missed dearly.
  In addition to his many years serving the people of Washington State, 
Governor Rosellini also used his time and energy to mentor a new 
generation that wanted to get involved in government. He was one of the 
first supporters in my corner when I got into politics, and I know 
there are countless others across our State who benefitted from his 
advice and support over the years.
  While the legacy Governor Rosellini leaves will be forever engrained 
in the State he loved so much, it will also be preserved through the 
men and women he boosted and supported who will continue building on 
his great work for Washington State families and communities.
  I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in paying homage to 
Governor Albert D. Rosellini. He lived a long and full life and the 
people of Washington State will always be indebted to him for his role 
in shaping the future of our State. Our thoughts are with his loved 
ones at this time of great loss.

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