Leon PanettaDirector of the US Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Birth: 28.06.1938
Country: USA |
Content:
Biography of Leon Panetta
Leon Edward Panetta was born on June 28, 1938, in Monterey, California. His parents were Italian immigrants who owned a restaurant and later a farm, where Panetta also worked. After graduating high school in 1956, he attended Santa Clara University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science magna cum laude in 1960. In 1963, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the university's law school.
Early Career
From 1964 to 1966, Panetta served in the Army, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant and receiving the Army Commendation Medal. After his military service, he worked as an assistant to California Senator Thomas H. Kuchel until 1969. He then held various positions within the Health, Education and Welfare Department, including heading the Office for Civil Rights, where he advocated for equal rights in education. However, he was forced to resign in 1970 due to pressure from conservatives.
Political Career
In 1971, Panetta served as an assistant to New York City Mayor John Lindsay, overseeing relations with state and federal authorities. He also attempted to grant New York City separate statehood, but his idea was not implemented, and he ultimately resigned. In the same year, Panetta switched to the Democratic Party due to the increasing influence of conservatives in the Republican Party.
Panetta returned to California and practiced law from 1971 to 1976 with his brother in the firm Panetta, Thompson & Panetta. He co-founded the Monterey College of Law in 1972. In 1976, Panetta won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving eight terms until 1993. During his time in Congress, he was a member of various committees, including the Budget Committee, where he eventually became chairman in 1989. He authored the Hunger Prevention Act in 1988 and advocated for women's rights to abortion and against the death penalty.
Later Career
After leaving Congress, Panetta served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in President Bill Clinton's administration from 1993 to 1994. He then became the White House Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997, where he successfully negotiated a budget agreement in 1996. Following his time in the Clinton administration, Panetta focused on public service. He co-founded the Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy and became a professor at Santa Clara University.
Panetta continued his involvement in non-governmental organizations, co-founding the Pew Oceans Commission in 2000 and serving as co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative from 2005. In 2009, he was appointed the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by President Barack Obama. Despite lacking experience in intelligence and foreign policy, his appointment was seen as an opportunity for CIA reform. Panetta was confirmed by the Senate in 2009 and served as the CIA Director until 2011.
Throughout his career, Panetta has been recognized for his integrity and extensive experience in public service. He is married to Sylvia Marie Varni, and they have three sons and several grandchildren.