Senator Luigi Granelli, a well-respected member of the Italian Parliament, died in Milan on 1 December 1999. As Minister for Scientific Research between 1983 and 1987, Granelli provided key support for the scientific community in Trieste during a critical period of growth. Granelli proved instrumental in the creation of the Elettra synchrotron facility and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), both of which were strongly supported by the first ICTP Director Abdus Salam.