Victor G. Atiyeh

Victor George Atiyeh ( born February 20, 1923 in Portland, Oregon ) is a former American politician. He was from 1979 to 1987 the 32nd Governor of the State of Oregon.

Early years and political rise

Victor Atiyeh visited after school, the University of Oregon. Professionally, he went into the carpet business, founded in 1900, his family, whose president he was to remain for 35 years. He is a member of the Republican Party. Between 1959 and 1964 he was a member of the House of Representatives of Oregon; 1965-1978 he was a member of the State Senate. There he was temporarily Republican party leader. In the years 1968, 1972 and 1976 he was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions relevant. In 1974, he lost in the gubernatorial election to Democrat Robert W. Straub. Four years later Atiyeh was again top candidate of his party and Straub was able to beat this time. He was elected governor of his state.

Governor of Oregon

Victor Atiyeh took up his new post on January 8, 1979. After a re-election in 1982 he was able to exercise it until 12 January 1987. He was the first elected governor of a U.S. state with Arab origin. During his tenure, the labor laws have been improved. The safety regulations in the timber and fishing industries have also been tightened. The governor ran a global tourism advertising for Oregon and undertook national and international travel trade promotion. One of his most famous works was the introduction of food aid for the poor ( roughly comparable to the panels known in Germany ). For his efforts in the humanitarian field, the governor has received numerous awards. Atiyeh was also a member of several associations governor.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship Atiyeh was an international trade consultant. In 2005, he had surgery on the heart, whereby he has a bypass was used. Victor Atiyeh is still the last Republican governor of Oregon; his four successors in office were all Democrats. With his wife, Dolores, he has two children.