Lloyd Bentsen

Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. (born February 11, 1921) is an American politician. A four-term United States Senator from Texas as a Democrat, he was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1988.

Late political career

He retired from the Senate in January, 1993 in order to serve as the 69th Secretary of the Treasury under Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1994. Clinton's selection of Bentsen for his cabinet was criticised as resulting in a loss of a Democratic Senate seat when Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison won the special election in Texas for Bentsen's vacated seat. As Secretary of the Treasury, Bentsen helped to shepherd Clinton's first budget through Congress. President Clinton awarded Bentsen with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. In 1998 Bentsen suffered a stroke which left him needing to use a wheelchair for mobility. He still lives in the Washington area and appeared last year at the portrait unveilings at the White House of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Related Topics:
January - 1993 - Secretary of the Treasury - Bill Clinton - 1994 - Kay Bailey Hutchison

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two hundred seventy miles of U.S. Highway 59, from I-35 to I-45 in Texas, is officially named the "Senator Lloyd Bentsen Highway".

Related Topics:
U.S. Highway 59 - I-35 - I-45 - Texas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bentsen's family continues to be active in politics. His nephew, Ken Bentsen Jr., was a U.S. Representative (D) from 1995-2003 in Texas's 25th District. Lloyd's grandson, Lloyd Bentsen IV, served on John Kerry's advance staff during his campaign for the Presidency of the United States.

Related Topics:
Ken Bentsen Jr. - John Kerry's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~