Victor G. Atiyeh
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| Victor G. Atiyeh | |
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32nd Governor of Oregon
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| In office January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. Straub |
| Succeeded by | Neil Goldschmidt |
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| Born | February 20, 1923 Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dolores Atiyeh |
| Profession | Rug Merchant, Politician |
Victor George Atiyeh (born February 20, 1923 in Portland, Oregon) was elected Governor of Oregon in 1978 after unsuccessfully running against Robert W. Straub four years earlier. A member of the Republican Party, Atiyeh was the first elected governor of Arab descent in the United States, serving eight years from 1979 through 1987.[1][2] He won re-election running against future governor Ted Kulongoski with 61.6 percent of the vote, the largest margin in 32 years.
He worked in the rug and carpet business, Atiyeh Brothers, established by his father at the turn of the 20th century.
Atiyeh served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1959 to 1964 and in the Oregon State Senate from 1965 to 1978.
When state residents began losing food stamp benefits in 1979, Atiyeh was instrumental in establishing Oregon Food Share, the nation's first statewide food bank.
Since leaving office, Atiyeh has been an international trade consultant. On August 31, 2005, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery; the former governor drove himself to St. Vincent Medical Center after suffering chest pains. Atiyeh was noted for being a fiscal conservative; his spokesman told reporters that he had stopped on his way to the hospital to fill his car with gas, having taken note of the sharply rising prices. In the weeks following the surgery, Atiyeh was readmitted to the hospital for several brief stays after suffering shortness of breath and pain in his arms.
In 2006, Atiyeh co-chaired the "Yes on 49" campaign, supporting Ballot Measure 49, along with Democratic former governors Barbara Roberts, John Kitzhaber, and current governor Ted Kulongoski. He solicited a $100,000 donation to the campaign from Phil Knight, CEO of Nike, a businessman who does not typically involve himself in political campaigns.[3]
To date, Atiyeh is the last Republican Governor of Oregon.
[edit] References
- ^ Directs Port of Portland to rename Portland International Airport, Oregon Legislature, July 6, 2005. Accessed September 8, 2007.
- ^ Philip Harsham and Robert Azzi. Arabs in America: The Native Sons. Saudi Aramco World. March/April 1975. Accessed September 8, 2007.
- ^ "Nike co-founder backs Measure 49 with $100,000", KGW.com, Associated Press, October 6, 2007.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007) |
[edit] External links
- Oregon State Archives file on Atiyeh (January 8, 1979 - January 12, 1987)
- Biographical Note from Oregon State Archives
- University of Oregon Awards
| Preceded by Robert W. Straub |
Governor of Oregon 1979-1987 |
Succeeded by Neil Goldschmidt |
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