Moments prior to the official ribbon cutting dedicating the inaugural halfway house for the Tacoma Narcotics Center, Senator Warren G. Magnuson addressed the waiting crowd. He stated that "this center can be the hope that lights the end of the tunnel for many who have been caught in the spiral of drug abuse." Initial $534,000 funding of the project was obtained from the Office of Economic Opportunity; however, Senator Magnuson feared that budget cuts might impact severely additional funding past September, 1968. He pledged his continuing support of the project. Seated near Senator Magnuson were Tacoma Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen and City Manager David Rowlands on one side and project director Robert Roberton, the center's Advisory Board chairman George Hess, and George W. Johnson, executive director of the sponsoring Opportunity Development, Inc., on his other side. (TNT 4-14-68, A-10, TNT 4-17-68, A-4) ALBUM 4.
Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rowlands, David; Roberton, Robert; Hess, George; Johnson, George W.;