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Warren KristiferAmerican lawyer and diplomat.
Date of Birth: 27.10.1925
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Warren Christopher: An American Lawyer and Diplomat
- Additional Positions and Contributions
- Personal Life
Warren Christopher: An American Lawyer and Diplomat
Early Life and EducationWarren Christopher is an American lawyer and diplomat. He completed his secondary education in Hollywood and enrolled at the University of Redlands, where he joined the fraternity Kappa Sigma Sigma. He completed his studies at the University of Southern California in February 1945. From July 1943 to September 1946, he served in the reserve of the U.S. Navy. From 1946 to 1949, he studied at the Stanford Law School, where he founded and led the Stanford Law Review and was accepted into the Order of the Coif as one of the top graduates. From October 1949 to September 1950, Christopher worked for Supreme Court Justice William Douglas. From October 1950 to June 1967, he worked as a lawyer at the firm O'Melveny & Myers, becoming a partner in 1958. After serving as Deputy Attorney General from June 1967 to January 20, 1969, Christopher returned to O'Melveny & Myers. On February 26, 1977, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of State and served in that position until January 20, 1981. Christopher is known for his role in negotiating the release of 52 hostages held at the American embassy in Iran. He also led the U.S. policy towards China, played a key role in the ratification of two treaties related to the Panama Canal, and headed the first interagency group on human rights. On January 16, 1981, President Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the highest civilian honor.
Additional Positions and Contributions
In addition to his diplomatic career, Christopher held various positions in many public organizations related to foreign policy and education. He served as the chairman of the Los Angeles Bar Association (1974-1975), the chairman of the Federal Judiciary Committee of the American Bar Association (1975-1976), and a special advisor to Governor Edmund Brown of California in 1959.
In 1991, Christopher chaired an independent commission to investigate police misconduct in Los Angeles, known as the Christopher Commission. The commission proposed significant reforms to the Los Angeles Police Department, which gained widespread support through a referendum following the 1992 Los Angeles riots. On January 20, 1993, Christopher was appointed as the Secretary of State by President Clinton and served in that position until 1997.
During the closely contested 2000 U.S. presidential election between George Bush and Al Gore, Christopher was tasked with leading the controversial vote recount in Florida. The Supreme Court ultimately resolved the election dispute in favor of George Bush.
Personal Life
Warren Christopher is married to Marie Wyllis, and they have four children.
On September 25, 2007, along with several other former U.S. Secretaries of State, Christopher signed a letter urging the U.S. Congress not to pass Resolution 106 on the Armenian Genocide.