Justice Department Conference Room Memorializes Sal Andretta '20

The Class of 1920, approaching its 50th Reunion, had among its members an exceptional public servant in the person of the late Sal Andretta, whose memory is kept alive in a unique way in Washington.

A lawyer, Andretta served in the U.S. Department of Justice for thirty years. In 1935 he joined the Anti-Trust Division of the Justice Department and in 1945 became Assistant Attorney General and head of the Administrative Division. In this latter position, which he held until his death in 1965, he was responsible for the administrative and fiscal affairs of the Department. Speaking about Sal, the late Senator Robert Kennedy, one of the eleven Attorneys General under whom he served, noted that his ability to secure the necessary funds from Congress was most exceptional and that his supervision of their wise expenditure was attested by his record over the years.

In memory of Sal, the Salvador A. Andretta Reading and Conference Room in Public Administration was established in 1966 in the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. This tribute has been described as "unique... in a government bureaucracy not noted for honoring the career public servant." The room is the focal point for Departmental research and training in public administration and contains a small library with the latest books and materials on the subject. A near-lifesize portrait of Sal hangs in the room and an appropriate plaque marks the entrance.

Seven of the Attorneys General under whom he served and who were living in 1966 joined in a statement supporting the establishment of the Andretta Room:

"Throughout his years at the Department, Sal devoted himself to bringing to it the most effective and efficient administration in government. We heartily endorse the idea that we should retain what we can of his ideals, his friendship, his humor and his dedication by establishing this conference room as a permanent useful memorial of his devotion to and his love for the Department of Justice." It was signed by Francis Biddle, Tom C. Clark, J. Howard McGrath, Herbert Brownell, William P. Rogers, Robert F. Kennedy, and Nicholas deB. Katzenbach.

The late Robert F. Kennedy and Tom C.Clark, former Attorneys General, at theJustice Department ceremonies markingthe dedication of the Andretta Room.

Sal Andretta's portrait hangs in the conference room, shown in use.