| Victor G. Atiyeh | |
|---|---|
| Atiyeh in 1986 | |
| 32nd Governor of Oregon | |
| In office January 8, 1979 – January 12, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. Straub |
| Succeeded by | Neil Goldschmidt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 20, 1923 Portland, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Dolores Atiyeh |
| Profession | Rug Merchant, Politician |
Victor George Atiyeh (born February 20, 1923) is an American politician, elected the 32nd Governor of Oregon in 1978. 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. As of 2011, Atiyeh is the last Republican to serve as Governor of Oregon.
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As a young man, Atiyeh worked in the rug and carpet business, Atiyeh Brothers, established by his father, an immigrant from Syria, 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; he 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 governor Barbara Roberts, former and future governor John Kitzhaber, and then-governor Ted Kulongoski. He solicited a $100,000 donation to the campaign from Phil Knight, CEO of Nike.[3]
He currently lives in Portland with his wife Dolores. Together, Victor and Dolores have two children, Tom and Suzanne, and five grandchildren: Megan, Sonia, Cody, Jimmy, and Becky.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert W. Straub |
Governor of Oregon 1979-1987 |
Succeeded by Neil Goldschmidt |
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