Gov. Vic Atiyeh

(1923-2014)

  • Oregon Governor, 1979-1987.
  • Oregon State Senator, 1965-1978.
  • Oregon State Representative, 1959-1964.

About Gov. Atiyeh

Victor George Atiyeh, governor of Oregon from 1979 to 1987, was the first Arab American governor in the United States.

The Oregon Historical Society’s digital collections page has 126 oral history recordings of interviews with Gov. Atiyeh. You can learn more about this remarkable former Oregon governor, some of the challenges he faced while in office and his achievements in this Oregon Encyclopedia article.

You can help preserve history

When you donate to the Capitol Foundation or purchase Pacific Wonderland license plates for your car, you help create a living history of our Capitol and its history. Your support funds programs such as our oral history project. This program gives students, history buffs and our state’s future leaders an opportunity to learn about Oregon’s most important stories from the people who made it happen. Thank you!