Buon Compleanno Sr Rosellini!

Happy 99th Birthday Governor Albert Rosellini. "The Gov" is doing well and just celebrated his 99th birthday yesterday in Seattle. The first Italian-American governor west of the Mississippi, Democrat Rosellini entered politics in 1938 and served from governor of Washington state from 1957 to 1965. He is generally regarded by most historians, this one included as being one of the best governors this state has ever had. Along with Dan Evans, the Republican that beat him in 1964, they are in my opinion the two best governors this state has seen in a long time! One of the things that I greatly admire about Rosellini was his ability to get things done! This is something we Italians are known for and our current slough of Washington governors are not known for! We definitely need the likes of more governors and mayors like Rosellini, Giuliani, LaGuardia, Cellucci, and Cuomo. Their mottos can best be summed up by the very non-Italian Larry the Cable Guy- Get er done! Or as we succinctly say in Italian, "Andiamo!" I look forward to your centennial celebration, Alberto. Grazie mille for your outstanding public service.

(photo- Governor Rosellini in Olympia after winning the Nov 1956 governor's election. Photo by Nat Farbman courtesy of Life Magazine)