Secretary

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

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Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Kathleen Sebelius has been a leader on health care, family and seniors issues for over 20 years. Currently, Sebelius is the CEO of Sebelius Resources LLC and engages in policy work with the Kaiser Family Fund and co-leads the Health Strategy Group for the Aspen Institute.

While leading the Department of Health and Human Services under President Barak Obama, Secretary Sebelius guided the implementation of the historic Affordable Care Act. She was also at the forefront of the Obama Administration’s efforts to build a 21st century health care system, from putting a new focus on prevention to promoting electronic health records to expanding the primary care workforce. Under her leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services has also played a leading role in meeting some of the country’s biggest challenges of the last two years, providing critical support to families during the economic downturn and coordinating the U.S. government response to the H1N1 flu. With partners across the Cabinet, she has launched new efforts to make government work better for the American people, joining with Attorney General Holder to crack down on health care fraud, working with Secretary Vilsack to build a 21st century food safety system, and collaborating with Secretary Duncan to raise the quality of early childhood education.

Before joining the Obama Administration, Secretary Sebelius served as Governor of Kansas, where she was named one of Time Magazine’s Top Five Governors, and Kansas Insurance Commissioner, where Governing Magazine selected her as their Public Official of the Year.

Secretary Sebelius was hosted by The Common Good in 2006 for a Meet & Greet.

Twitter: @SecSebelius

Secretary Tom Vilsack

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Secretary Tom Vilsack

30th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation’s 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

As leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Vilsack is working hard to strengthen the American agricultural economy, build vibrant rural communities and create new markets for the tremendous innovation of rural America. In five years at the Department, Vilsack has worked to implement President Obama’s agenda to put Americans back to work and create an economy built to last. USDA has supported America’s farmers, ranchers and growers who are driving the rural economy forward, provided food assistance to millions of Americans, carried out record conservation efforts, made record investments in our rural communities and helped provide a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for the American people.

As chair of the first-ever White House Rural Council, Secretary Vilsack and USDA are taking steps to strengthen services for rural businesses and entrepreneurs by finding new ways to partner with other Federal agencies and the private sector to spur investment in rural America.

Prior to his appointment, Vilsack served two terms as the Governor of Iowa, in the Iowa State Senate and as the mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Vilsack was born into an orphanage and adopted in 1951. After graduating Hamilton College and Albany Law School, he moved to Mt. Pleasant, his wife Christie’s hometown, where he practiced law. The Vilsacks have two adult sons and two daughters-in-law – Doug, married to Janet; and Jess, married to Kate. They also have two grandchildren.

Secretary Henry Kissinger

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secretary Henry Kissinger

56th U.S. Secretary of State

Henry Alfred Kissinger was the 56th Secretary of State of the United States from 1973 to 1977. He held the position of Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from 1969 to 1975. After leaving government service, he founded Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm, of which he is chairman.

In the Nixon administration, Kissinger served as the president’s National Security Advisor and then Secretary of State. Kissinger was the go-between in the secret negotiations that eventually opened relations between the U.S. and communist China.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in arranging a ceasefire in North Vietnam. Kissinger also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the nation’s highest civilian award) in 1977 and the Medal of Liberty (given one time to ten foreign-born American leaders) in 1986. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Kissinger continued to write, lecture and appear on TV as a foreign affairs expert.

Kissinger was hosted by The Common Good in 2007: Foreign Affairs and Economic Policy with Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, and in 2011: Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on China.

Secretary Jack Kemp †

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secretary Jack Kemp †

American politician

Jack Kemp was a pro football player, congressman, cabinet secretary and vice-presidential candidate.

Kemp served in Congress for nine terms (1971-1989). He was elected the incoming Republican freshman class president, and 10 years later was chosen Chairman of the Republican Conference (third ranking in House Republican leadership). Kemp served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1989-1993, where he championed affordable housing, tenant management, and a housing voucher program for homeless veterans and their families. Upon leaving office in 1993, he joined forces with William Bennett and Jeane Kirkpatrick to found Empower America. He also served as chairman of the National Commission on Economic Growth and Tax Reform, which promoted major reform and simplification of the U.S. tax code.

Jack Kemp died on May 2, 2009. President Obama posthumously awarded Jack Kemp the Presidential Medal of Freedom in August, 2009.