Professional sports in Seattle, national security, greenways and Estonia independence are among the beneficiaries of one man’s passions and hard work. On May 27, that individual, former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton, will be honored as the 2010 Seattle-King County First Citizen.
Seven speakers will pay tribute to Gorton, a Clyde Hill resident, and his 50 years of public service during the civic banquet at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. The public is invited to join distinguished past First Citizens at the 72nd annual celebration of volunteerism and community involvement.
The speakers will reflect on different aspects of Sen. Gorton’s career and achievements in the public and private sectors. Among those scheduled to share the dais are the president of the Seattle Mariners, two judges, an official from the 9/11 Commission, and one of his daughters.
Susan Hutchison, former television news anchor and longtime emcee for the First Citizen event, will again serve as master of ceremonies for the gala.
The banquet speakers include:
Chuck Armstrong, president and chief operating officer of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball Club. While serving as State Attorney General, Gorton sued the American League to keep baseball in Seattle and is credited with “saving the Mariners.” In the early 1990s, Armstrong and Gorton worked together to form a local ownership group and keep the team in Seattle.
Kellie Daniels, who served as a legislative assistant to Sen. Gorton and subsequently formed Kellie Daniels & Associates, a political and governmental affairs consulting firm, and is chair of the board of directors of the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Judge Nathaniel (“Nat”) Gorton, of the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and younger brother.
Becky Jack, one of Slade Gorton’s three children, speaking on behalf of the family (and their shared passion for Labradors).
Judge James M. Johnson, justice, Washington State Supreme Court and former Washington State Assistant Attorney General.
Mike McGavick, CEO of XL Capital Ltd. He served as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Gorton and manager of his 1988 campaign. (Presentation will be by videotape.)
Philip Zelikow, executive director of the 9/11 Commission (the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States), of which Slade Gorton is a member. Dr. Zelikow is also the director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs and White Burkett Miller Professor of History at the University of Virginia.
The May 27 civic banquet to honor Senator Gorton will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Tickets are $125 each or $1,100 for a table of 10 and may be reserved online at the organization’s website or by phoning the SEATTLE KingCounty REALTORS at 425-974-1011.
As the 72nd recipient of the Seattle-King County First Citizen Award, Gorton joins a distinguished list of honorees from humanitarian organizations, charitable and educational institutions, arts, science and environmental groups, and from other civic endeavors.
The Seattle-King County First Citizen Award and civic banquet, believed to be this region’s most senior citation of its kind, has no fund-raising expectation, but instead is designed solely as a not-for-profit celebration of community leadership, volunteerism and public service.
