Cal Anderson
Encyclopedia
Calvin B. "Cal" Anderson (May 2, 1948 – August 4, 1995) was an American politician
. A Democrat
, he served in both chambers of the Washington State Legislature
, representing Seattle's 43rd house district.
before his political career where he won two Bronze Stars and four Army Commendation Medals. On November 9, 1987, Anderson was appointed to a state house vacancy by King County Council
, becoming Washington state's first openly gay legislator. He represented the 43rd legislative district, focused on downtown Seattle. In November 1994, he was elected to the Washington State Senate
, taking office in January 1995. He served only briefly in the senate, dying on August 4, 1995 of AIDS
.
On April 10, 2003, Seattle's Lincoln Park was renamed Cal Anderson Park
in his honor.
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served in both chambers of the Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
, representing Seattle's 43rd house district.
Biography
Anderson served in VietnamVietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
before his political career where he won two Bronze Stars and four Army Commendation Medals. On November 9, 1987, Anderson was appointed to a state house vacancy by King County Council
King County Council
The Metropolitan King County Council, the legislative body of King County, Washington, consists of nine members elected by district. The Council adopts laws, sets policy, and holds final approval over the budget...
, becoming Washington state's first openly gay legislator. He represented the 43rd legislative district, focused on downtown Seattle. In November 1994, he was elected to the Washington State Senate
Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....
, taking office in January 1995. He served only briefly in the senate, dying on August 4, 1995 of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
On April 10, 2003, Seattle's Lincoln Park was renamed Cal Anderson Park
Cal Anderson Park
Cal Anderson Park is a public park on Seattle, Washington's Capitol Hill that includes Lincoln Reservoir and Bobby Morris Playfield.-Features:...
in his honor.