08:42 AM PDT on Monday, September 15, 2003

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Back when Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates was in high school, he used to wander the University of Washington campus, searching for unoccupied computers.

Now, there’s one more building he might have searched. Gates, 47, returned to the campus Friday for the dedication of the new Law School building — William H. Gates Hall, named for his dad.

“Basically, I was going to various buildings looking for computers to use spare computer time,” Gates said. “So I’m always glad when there’s a new building on this campus.”

He donated $12 million toward the gleaming, $80 million, six-story structure.

William H. Gates is a graduate of UW Law and a regent at the university.

Bill Gates, the world’s richest man, said he was more than happy to help put his father’s name on the building. His father is co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“I think it’s a fitting tribute to an incredible man and an incredible father,” he said.

William H. Gates said he was honored to have his name on the building and didn’t have any problem with the honor being paid for by his son.

“There is a lot of pride connected with this building,” the elder Gates said. “If it were a question of merit, there are many Washington lawyers whose names would have to be considered for the naming of this building.

“So the matter of the naming really gets down to the simple proposition of a son who wanted to show respect for his dad,” he said. “And if that is what it boils down to, a generous son who wants to express some pride in his dad, I’ll take it.”

Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo delivered the keynote speech after the ribbon-cutting. Washington Gov. Gary Locke also spoke.

Cuomo applauded William H. Gates’ social awareness and praised him for supporting estate taxes. The elder Gates has argued that cutting such taxes would unfairly benefit wealthy taxpayers.

“I cannot recall another time in our history when a spokesperson for hundreds of the nation’s wealthiest citizens struggled to prevent their wealth from being exempted from taxation,” Cuomo said.