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Jack LewAmerican politician
Date of Birth: 29.08.1955
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Jack Lew
Early Life and EducationJack Joseph Lew, also known as Jacob Joseph Lew, was born on August 29, 1955, in New York City, USA. His father, who immigrated to the US from Poland as a child, was a lawyer and rare book salesman. Lew attended public schools in New York and graduated from Forest Hills High School. He then enrolled at Carleton College in Minnesota, where his mentor was Paul Wellstone, who now represents Minnesota in the Senate. In 1978, Lew graduated from Harvard College, and in 1981, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Early Career
Lew worked as an aide to Congressman Joe Moakley from 1974 to 1975 and later became the senior political advisor to Speaker Tip O'Neill in 1979. He practiced law as a partner at the law firm Van Ness Feldman for five years, primarily focusing on the legal aspects of energy development. He also served as the executive director of the Center for Middle East Research.
Government Service
From 1993 to 1994, Lew worked as a special assistant to President Clinton, where he was responsible for political development, the AmeriCorps federal government program, and healthcare reform legislative initiatives. On July 13, 2010, the White House announced that Lew would be nominated to replace Peter Orszag as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, pending Senate approval. On November 18, 2010, Lew was confirmed unanimously for the position. On January 9, 2012, President Obama announced that Lew would replace William M. Daley as the White House chief of staff. In this role, Lew was recognized as a top negotiator and a key proponent of the "grand bargain" between President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner, aimed at avoiding the fiscal cliff.
Current Role
On January 10, 2013, President Obama nominated Lew for the position of Secretary of the Treasury. Shortly after his nomination, Lew received several humorous comments regarding his unusual spiral-shaped signature, which was set to appear on US currency notes during his tenure. The New York Magazine referred to Lew's loops as the worst signature in the world, while others called it a "crazy straw" signature. The media coverage became so intense that it reached the President, who joked in a press conference that he would not have nominated Lew if he had seen the signature earlier. Lew eventually changed his signature, and the more legible version was transferred onto dollar bills.
Personal Life and Religion
Lew practices Orthodox Judaism and observes the Jewish Sabbath. He has been described as having extensive ties to the American Jewish community and as being capable of helping President Obama establish a more friendly relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
