Federico Peña

From Freepedia

Image:Federico pena.JPG Federico Fabian Peña (born March 15, 1947) was United States Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 1997, during the presidency of Bill Clinton.

Born in Laredo, Texas, Peña earned a B.A. (1969) and a J.D. (1972) from the University of Texas. Moving to Colorado, where he became a practicing attorney, Peña was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1979, where he rose to become minority Leader. In 1983, Peña defeated a 14-year incumbent to become the first Hispanic Mayor of Denver, a post to which he was re-elected in 1988.

Peña advised Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton on transportation issues during Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign, and Clinton chose Peña to head the United States Department of Transportation. Although he intended to leave Clinton's cabinet after a single term, Peña served as Secretary of Energy for one year, from 1997 to 1998. Peña currently heads an investment firm.

Peña Boulevard, a limited-access expressway in Denver connecting Denver International Airport to Interstate Highway 70, is named for him. As mayor of Denver, Peña led the effort to build the airport.

Preceded by: William H. McNichols, Jr.	Mayor of Denver 1983–1991	Succeeded by: Wellington Webb
Preceded by: Andrew Card	United States Secretary of Transportation 1993–1997	Succeeded by: Rodney Slater
Preceded by: Hazel R. O'Leary	United States Secretary of Energy 1997–1998	Succeeded by: Bill Richardson

United States Secretaries of Energy	Image:US-DeptOfEnergy-Seal.png
Schlesinger | Duncan | Edwards | Hodel | Herrington | Watkins | O'Leary | Peña | Richardson | Abraham | Bodman

United States Secretaries of Transportation	Image:US-DeptOfTransportation-Seal.png
Boyd | Volpe | Brinegar | Coleman | Adams | Goldschmidt | Lewis | Dole | Burnley | Skinner | Card | Peña | Slater | Mineta |