Submitted by Rep. Rick Larsen’s office

Former U.S. Rep. Al Swift, an Emmy award-winning broadcaster who represented the 2nd Congressional District in Washington state, passed away April 20, 2018 of natural causes. He was 82 years old.

Swift was first elected to the U.S. House in 1978, succeeding Lloyd Meeds, for whom Swift served as top aide from 1965 to 1969. Swift won re-election to Congress seven times, retiring in 1994. Swift, who served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, drafted the Northwest Power Act, helped craft the Washington Wilderness Bill, and was Congress’ ranking expert on election law. He authored and led the passage of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, known as the “motor-voter” law, which expanded voter registration options nationwide.

Swift was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Tacoma, Washington. Growing up in Tacoma, life revolved around the Methodist church, his younger brother Larry recalled.

“We grew up in a family with very clear standards, drawn from the Methodist Church,” he said. “Our dad was a truck driver for Coca-Cola and turned down a job driving for Heidelberg at twice the salary because our parents didn’t think it would send the right message to us. Neither my brother nor I were believers in the conventional meaning, but the core values of our parents were central to Al’s world view – compassion, a sense of justice and fairness – the kind of values that it takes for a society to live together peacefully.”

Swift received a bachelor’s degree from the Central Washington College of Education in 1957.

His first career was in broadcasting – first in radio, then as news director for KVOS-TV in Bellingham. He was known for his skills at oration and humorous storytelling, often with a cigar in hand, which served him well during his Congressional career.

“Al Swift served Washington state with distinction and honor. He was a trusted friend and invaluable mentor to me during my time in Congress. His legacy includes protecting voting rights and the environment, issues that still remain important to the 2nd District. I will greatly miss him,” said Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02.

“Al Swift was the first elected official I remember meeting as a kid,” said U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, WA-6th District. “I was probably seven or eight years old and I remember him telling me a joke (the first of many in the nearly four decades since — the jokes got a bit more mature as I did). At 19, I interned in his office. Not only did he instill in me the value of public service, he taught me something I’ll never forget. On the last day of the internship he invited me into his office and said ‘I’m now going to teach you the most important lesson of this internship.’ I keenly waited on the edge of my seat as he opened his desk drawer and said, ‘I’m going to teach you how to light and smoke a cigar’ (which was my first and last.)

“Beyond what he meant to me personally, Al Swift meant so much to so many of the people he represented,” Kilmer continued. “Whether he was advocating for the economic needs of the Olympic Peninsula or working on infrastructure issues for the entire country, Al was the consummate public servant. It’s fitting that he started his career in broadcasting since he was such an important voice for so many people in our state who needed one. On behalf of my entire family, I can say that I will miss Al but I’m glad he’s now with Paula.”

He was married to Paula (nee Jackson) for 56 years and they had two daughters, Amy and Lauri. Paula passed away in 2012.

He is survived by his brother Larry Swift (Earlyse) and his daughters Amy (Dan) Donovan and Lauri Swift and three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Memorial services will be held on May 5, at 11 a.m. at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia. The family is also planning a service in Washington state later in the summer.