BURLINGTON, Vt. -
A giant in Vermont politics has passed away.
Oreste Valsangiacomo served in the Vermont house for 32 years, the third longest house career in state history.
The Barre Democrat, who friends called Val, was first elected in 1967. He took three years off in the 1970s and then finally retired in 2000.
His friend and Republican colleague, Sen. Bill Doyle (R-Washington), remembers Val fondly. "He was a very outstanding legislator. I rank him in the top five of all legislators I have ever met. He was a master of the house rules, not only the house rules, but the tax writing committee," Sen. Doyle said.
Valsangiacomo died Friday, just five days after his wife passed away. Val was 92-years-old.
