Lauro Cavazos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lauro Cavazos
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| 4th United States Secretary of Education | |
| In office September 20, 1988 – December 12, 1990 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | William Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Lamar Alexander |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lauro Fred Cavazos
January 4, 1927 Kingsville, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 15, 2022 (aged 95) Concord, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Peggy Ann Murdock |
| Children | 10 |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944—1946 |
Lauro Fred Cavazos Jr. (born January 4, 1927 – died March 15, 2022) was an important American educator and politician. He is best known for serving as the United States Secretary of Education. He was also the first person of Hispanic background to be part of the United States Cabinet.
Early Life and Education
Lauro Cavazos was born in Texas on January 4, 1927. His family had lived in Texas for many generations. He grew up on the King Ranch near Kingsville, Texas. His father, Lauro F. Cavazos Sr., managed a special cattle division on the ranch. His mother was Tomasa (Quintanilla) Cavazos.
Lauro Cavazos had a brother, Richard E. Cavazos, who became a U.S. Army General. Their family history also included a brave woman named Francita Alavez, known as the "Angel of Goliad" from the Texas Revolution.
In 1944, when he was 17, Cavazos joined the United States Army. He served in an infantry unit in the United States during the final years of World War II. After leaving the Army, he went to college.
He first studied journalism at Texas College of Arts and Industries. Later, he moved to Texas Tech University. There, he earned degrees in zoology, which is the study of animals. In 1954, he received his Ph.D. (a very high degree) in physiology from Iowa State University. Physiology is the study of how living things work.
Career Highlights
After finishing his studies, Cavazos taught at Tufts University and the Medical College of Virginia. From 1975 to 1980, he was the Dean of the Tufts University School of Medicine. A dean is a leader in a university department.
From 1980 to 1988, he became the President of Texas Tech University. This was a big achievement because he was the first former student and the first Hispanic person to lead the university.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan chose Cavazos to be the United States Secretary of Education. This is a very important job, as the Secretary of Education leads the government department that deals with education across the country. The Senate, which is part of the U.S. government, approved his appointment with a vote of 94 to 0.
Cavazos continued to serve as Secretary of Education under President George H. W. Bush. He held this position until December 1990. After leaving his role in the Cabinet, he went back to teaching at Tufts University. He became a Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine.
Special Recognition
In 2006, Iowa State University, where he earned his Ph.D., gave him their highest honor, the Distinguished Achievement Award. This award recognized his many accomplishments.
Personal Life
Lauro Cavazos was married to Peggy Ann Murdock. They had ten children together. He lived in Massachusetts.
Lauro Cavazos passed away on March 15, 2022, in Concord, Massachusetts. He was 95 years old.
