Inslee Statement on Death of Paul Allen

— from Office of the Governor —

Gov. Jay Inslee today reacted to the news of Paul Allen’s death.

“Paul Allen stands as a giant in Washington history for the genius vision that was so important to creating Microsoft with Bill Gates. That he went on to do so much more for our state, nation and the world puts him in rarefied company.

“Paul was a major philanthropist who believed in giving at home. Seattle is dotted with the results of his philanthropy and investments, from the unbelievable work of the Allen Institute for Brain Science to the preservation of the world-class Cinerama movie theater. He brought us a Super Bowl championship, a reverence for Jimi Hendrix and a vision for Seattle that today is home to some of the world’s most innovative biotech research and has been the cradle of the city’s economic boom.

“He cared about the larger world, too, stepping up to fight Ebola and working to preserve endangered animals. He exposed the dark depths of oceans and pioneered privately funded space flight.

“There’s little in the universe that didn’t interest Paul.

“Paul was a person who pushed so many intellectual envelopes and expanded human knowledge, and his legacy will live beyond bricks and mortar.

“In so many ways Paul Allen personified Washington state – innovative, caring and always willing to fight for equal rights for all.

“Trudi and I join people all over the world in sending our thoughts to Paul’s family and friends.”