William A. Gissberg An Oral History Interviewed by Sharon Boswell Washington State Oral History Program Office of the Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Secretary of State CONTENTS Forewords Frank E. Baker Martin J. Durkan Daniel J. Evans John Fattorini Jr. Thomas J. Owens Preface Acknowledgments Biography Introduction: Interviewing William Gissberg by Sharon Boswell 1. Family Background................................................................ 1 Tape 1 Immigration and emigration. Swedes in Washington. Bellingham, WA. Everett, WA. Lumber industry. Wobblies. Everett massacre. Labor unions. Depression. Civilian Conservation Corps. Family. Youth groups. Baseball. High school sports. Politics and education. Democratic Party. Republican Party. 2. Law School and Military Service.......................................... 11 Tapes 2 and 3 Newspaper carriers. Weyerhaeuser Company. Lawsuits. Courts. Lawyers. Oregon. Law schools. University of Washington. College sports. Political candidates. World War II. Military service. Baseball. 3. State Senator: 1953............................................................... 19 Tape 4 Political campaigns. Washington State Senate. Politicians. Air pollution. Roads and highways. Legislation. Abortion. Elections. Campaign funds. Forest conservation. Legislators. 4. Lawyer and Legislator.......................................................... 27 Tapes 5 and 6, Side 1 Liquor. Smoking. Anti-Communism. Budget. Abandoned property. Lobbying. Legislation. Press. Ethics. 5. The Legislative Process......................................................... 35 Tapes 6, Side 2, and 7 Press. Lobbying. Legislative ethics. Campaign contributions. Labor unions. Boeing. Washington State Bar Association. Education. School superintendents. Schools. Seattle police. Drug abuse. Legislators. Lawyers. Criminal justice system. 6. Environmental Issues............................................................. 45 Tapes 8 and 9, Side 1 Conservatism. Budget. Taxation. Democratic Party. Republican Party. Water power. Political caucuses. Pollution Control Hearings Board. Washington State Department of Ecology. Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Washington State Governor. Legislation. Environmental issues and policies. Liquor laws and regulations. Weyerhaeuser Company. Labor unions and politics. Employment. Strikes. 7. Redistricting: Early 1960s.................................................... 57 Tapes 9, Side 2, and 10 Labor unions. Lobbying. Legislative redistricting. League of Women Voters. Initiative. Referendum. Judges. Legislature. Salaries. Republican Party. Democratic Party. Legislation. 8. President Pro Tempore of the Senate: 1965.......................... 65 Tape 11 Income tax. Sales tax. Journalists. Libel and slander. Olympian. Women. Ethics. Homosexuality. Abortion. Gambling. Indians of North America--fishing and fishing rights. Religion and politics. 9. Environmental Policy Formation........................................... 73 Tape 12 Health. Health insurance. Environmental issues and policies. Lumber industry. Washington State Shorelines Hearings Board. Pollution Control Hearings Board. Washington State Department of Ecology. Washington State Bar Association. Fishing. Hunting. Lobbying. Family. Lawyers. 10. Legislative Councils and Committees.................................. 83 Tapes 13 and 14 Judges. Veterans. Education. Property tax. Colleges and universities. Seattle, WA. Political caucuses. Democratic Party. Drug abuse. Legislative redistricting. Police. Appendix A: Newspaper Articles.............................................. 93 Marysville Globe, March 31, 1955...................................... 94 Washington Teamster, February 3, 1961............................. 95 Everett Herald, January 18, 1969........................................ 96 Everett Herald, March 12, 1969.......................................... 97 Bremerton Sun, January 23, 1970........................................ 98 Everett Herald, January 11, 1972........................................ 99 Washington Teamster, March 10, 1972............................... 100 Everett Herald, July 27, 1972............................................. 101 Appendix B: Chronology: The United States, 1900-1995......... 103 FOREWORD ODE TO WILLIAM A. GISSBERG (FORWARD and BACKWARD) THERE ARE STAUNCH SEAGULLS – He Is THERE ARE LOYAL HUSKIES – He Is THERE ARE ABLE STUDENTS – He Was THERE ARE FINE ATHLETES – He Is THERE ARE EXCELLENT ATTORNEYS – He Is THERE ARE NOBLE POLITICIANS – He Is THERE ARE GREAT FATHERS – He Is THERE ARE SUPERIOR MEN – He Is THERE ARE CIGAR LOVERS – He Was THERE ARE TALENTED GOLFERS – He Isn’t THERE ARE SWELL FRIENDS – He Is THERE ARE EXCEPTIONAL PERSONALITIES – He Is The above and foregoing are but a few of the many talents possessed by Bill. His areas of achievement are endless. He is one of the very special people in our community. So please read on. FRANK E. BAKER Former Thurston County Superior Court Judge FOREWORD I first met Bill Gissberg in 1942 when we were training at the Marines Officers Candidate School. I was from Montana, he was from Washington. We did not seek each other out, but we shared a love of fishing and became friends. We maintained that friendship over the next fifty years. By the time I was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1956, Bill Gissberg was already serving in the state Senate. A significant number of legislators were World War II veterans who had become successful in business or professions. They came to the Legislature as a fiercely independent group, with a strong desire to make up for time lost. Both Republicans and Democrats were more concerned with issues than with party loyalty. They left an indelible mark and an enviable record. Bill is a Democrat, and his party was in the majority for eighteen years. This plurality and the independence of his colleagues worked to Bill’s advantage. He had been a star athlete in school–now he had another perfect playing field. His competitive spirit remained and he thrived. He was a “oner” among loners, listening to his own drummer. His theory was not unlike Robert Kennedy’s: “Forgive your enemies, but don’t forget their names.” Bill Gissberg understood that a legislator’s dependence upon his district could dictate his vote. He would remember those who made the tough vote, and those who ducked it. Senator Gissberg became a major player in state government during the fifties and sixties. Perhaps his finest work was as a member and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. At that time, every committee member was also a member of the Bar, and legal ability was of more importance than party. Although Judiciary was a small committee, it was a textbook example of how a legislative committee should operate. More bills were referred to it than to any other standing committee. Under Bill’s leadership very few ever saw the light of day. He made sure that those that did were expressed clearly. Style, grammar, and punctuation were perfect. The committee was a training ground that produced Supreme Court judges for Washington State as well as judges for the superior and appellate courts and the federal bench. In addition to being a “oner” among loners, Senator Gissberg was a rara avis, or rare bird. He was one-of-a-kind. He could be abrupt or, occasionally, rude. He could seem aloof or uncooperative to other members of the Senate. Those of us who knew him thought little of it, but others, while recognizing his ability, did not want him as the elected leader of the majority in the Senate. However, at the urging of a substantial number of senators, including myself, he did run for the leadership post. Unfortunately, he lost by two votes. Later I asked him why he thought those two senators did not support him. His response: “I didn’t want to owe them anything, so I didn’t ask them.” Some final thoughts: Legislators’ families may suffer. Service to the state can be all-consuming, and family life is affected. Bill Gissberg was fortunate to have two strong, patient women close to him. His mother was a wonderful, caring person. His wife, Helen, was and is a supportive, kind woman with abundant patience and understanding. In the forty-five years that I have been associated with the Legislature as an employee, a member, and as an attorney representing clients, I have seen hundreds of officials come and go. A few have been good. Others have been poor or mediocre, leaving just their photos on the wall. Senator Bill Gissberg came and performed his duties beyond reproach. He left on his own terms at his chosen time. He left an indelible stamp. He was the best. MARTIN J. DURKAN Former Washington State Senator FOREWORD I served with Bill Gissberg in the Legislature and, later, as governor, I had many occasions to work with him in his capacity as a key member of the state Senate. Senator Gissberg was an outstanding representative of the “Old Legislature.” I stress that because in the days of short sessions occurring every other year, it was possible for real leaders of a community to serve in the Legislature. It is difficult today for a senior member of a law firm, for instance, to serve in the Legislature, as many did in the 1950s and 1960s. Bill represented the finest of that generation. He always provided good, straightforward advice to me while I was governor. I remember vividly the initiation of the new state Court of Appeals. The Senate debated as to whether the governor should be allowed to appoint the initial twelve members or