Daniel J. Evans: An Autobiography
"I would rather cross the political aisle than cross the people."
-Governor Dan Evans
In collaboration with Legacy Washington historians, former Governor Daniel J. Evans' remarkable story.
A descendant of territorial-era pioneers, Evans was born in Seattle in 1925. The Eagle Scout was commissioned a naval officer at 19, earned engineering degrees at the University of Washington, and was elected to the Legislature in 1956. Eight years later, against long odds, he was elected governor.
After a then-unprecedented three consecutive terms (1965-1977) Evans served as president of The Evergreen State College. In 1983 he was appointed US Senator. Together with Mike Lowry, a former foe who became a friend, Evans founded the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition in 1989.
From the cover:
Dan Evans should have been elected President of the United States. His achievements as Governor of Washington and US Senator demonstrate he possesses two basic requirements: character and judgment. Both are required in abundance to successfully lead America. This autobiography, though, takes the reader deeper into a person committed to public service for all the right reasons. Evans brings his common sense, compassion, and discipline into every decision. He understands that democracy plus our economic system depends on healthy markets as the way to deliver on the as yet unfulfilled promise of equal opportunity and civil rights.
—Jerry Grinstein, former Administrative Assistant to U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson
Acknowledgments
Our thanks to the generous supporters and donors who made this publication possible through gifts to the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and the ALL Foundation of Washington.
- Dave Ammons
- Dean Sandra Archibald
- Apex Foundation
- Aven Foundation
- Alex Bolton
- John Brewer
- John Chapple & Vivian Dixon
- Ann Chenhall
- Cleo Davidson
- Pat & Susan Dunn
- Wayne Ehlers
- David Elliott
- James Elliott
- Evans Family Foundation
- Jay Fredericksen
- The Gates Foundation
- William & Mimi Gates
- Gery Gerst
- Gail Basso Girtz
- David Kimball Hansen
- Patricia Harper
- Heather Hirotaka
- Sam Hunt
- William Jacobs
- Sally & Warren Jewell
- Keith & Lynn Kessler
- Kristie Kirkpatrick
- Mike & Moonbeam Kupka
- Karin & R. Paul Larson
- Laurie Maricle
- Curtis & Patricia Marshall
- Bruce McCaw
- Craig McCaw
- Susan McCaw
- Alex McGregor
- C. Louise Miller
- Laura Mott
- Mark Neary
- Trova O’Heffernan
- Amber Raney
- Jill Ruckelshaus
- John Stanton & Theresa Gillespie
- Quintard Taylor
- Charlie & Nancy Wiggins
- Kim Wyman
- Hans Zeiger
Legacy Washington is a program of the Washington State Archives
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“...to record and document oral histories of current and former members and staff of the Washington state executive and judicial branches, the state’s congressional delegation, and other citizens who have made indelible contributions to the political history of Washington state.” (RCW 43.07.363)
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