Leon Panetta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Panetta
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Official portrait, 2011
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| 23rd Secretary of Defense | |
| In office July 1, 2011 – February 26, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | William J. Lynn III Ash Carter |
| Preceded by | Robert Gates |
| Succeeded by | Chuck Hagel |
| 3rd Director of the CIA | |
| In office February 13, 2009 – June 30, 2011 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Stephen Kappes Michael Morell |
| Preceded by | Michael Hayden |
| Succeeded by | David Petraeus |
| 18th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office July 17, 1994 – January 20, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Mack McLarty |
| Succeeded by | Erskine Bowles |
| 29th Director of the Office of Management and Budget | |
| In office January 21, 1993 – July 17, 1994 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Richard Darman |
| Succeeded by | Alice Rivlin |
| Chair of the House Budget Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 21, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | William H. Gray |
| Succeeded by | Martin Olav Sabo |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office January 3, 1977 – January 21, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Burt Talcott |
| Succeeded by | Sam Farr |
| Constituency | 16th district (1977–1993) 17th district (1993) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Leon Edward Panetta
June 28, 1938 Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (1971–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Republican (before 1971) |
| Spouse | Sylvia Varni |
| Children | 3, including Jimmy |
| Education | Santa Clara University (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1966 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Awards | Army Commendation Medal |
Leon Edward Panetta (born June 28, 1938) is an American who used to be a politician and government official. He has held many important jobs in the U.S. government. These include being the Secretary of Defense (2011–2013), the director of the CIA (2009–2011), and the White House Chief of Staff (1994–1997). He also served as a U.S. representative for California (1977–1993).
Panetta was a member of the United States House of Representatives for many years. He worked for President Bill Clinton as the director of the Office of Management and Budget and later as the White House Chief of Staff. After leaving government, he helped start the Panetta Institute for Public Policy.
In 2009, President Barack Obama chose Panetta to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. As CIA director, Panetta was in charge when the operation that killed Osama bin Laden happened. Later, he became the Secretary of Defense. Since retiring in 2013, Panetta has continued to work with the Panetta Institute, which helps people get involved in public service. His son, Jimmy Panetta, now holds his father's old seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Panetta was born in Monterey, California. His parents were Italian immigrants from Siderno in Calabria, Italy. In the 1940s, his family owned a restaurant in Monterey.
He grew up in the Monterey area and went to Catholic elementary schools. He attended Monterey High School, a public school. There, he was very active in student government, becoming student body president in his senior year. In 1960, he graduated with high honors (magna cum laude) from Santa Clara University. He then earned a law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 1963.
Military Service
In 1964, Panetta joined the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. He worked in Army Military Intelligence. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his service. In 1966, he left the Army as a First Lieutenant.
Political Career Highlights
Starting in Politics
Panetta began his political career in 1966. He worked as an assistant for Republican Senator Thomas Kuchel from California. In 1969, he became an assistant to Robert H. Finch, who was the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Panetta was then made director of the Office for Civil Rights.
Panetta strongly supported enforcing civil rights laws, even when President Nixon wanted to slow down these efforts. Because of his strong stance, Panetta left his government role in 1970. He then worked for the mayor of New York City, John Lindsay. From 1971 to 1976, Panetta practiced law in Monterey.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1971, Panetta joined the Democratic Party. He felt the Republican Party was moving too far from the middle. In 1976, he was elected to the U.S. Congress to represent California's 16th district. He won this election and was reelected eight more times.
While in Congress, Panetta focused on important issues. These included the national budget, civil rights, education, healthcare, and protecting the environment. He helped create the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He also worked to establish California State University, Monterey Bay at the former Fort Ord military base.
Panetta was a key member of the United States House Committee on the Budget. He served on this committee from 1979 to 1989, and was its chairman from 1989 to 1993.
Leading the Office of Management and Budget
Even though he was reelected to Congress in 1992, Panetta left the House in 1993. President Bill Clinton chose him to be the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget. In this role, Panetta helped create the budget plan that led to a balanced budget in 1998.
White House Chief of Staff
In 1994, President Clinton asked Panetta to become his new White House Chief of Staff. This is a very important job, helping the president manage the White House and its many activities. Panetta held this position until 1997. He was also a main negotiator for the 1996 budget.
Director of the CIA
Nomination and Confirmation
On January 5, 2009, President-elect Barack Obama announced he wanted Panetta to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Some people wondered about Panetta's experience in intelligence. However, others pointed out his close ties to the president and his past work reviewing intelligence programs. On February 12, 2009, the Senate approved his nomination.
Time as CIA Director
Panetta was sworn in as CIA director on February 19, 2009. He traveled widely to meet with intelligence leaders around the world. He worked with them to fight against threats from extremist groups.
As CIA director, Panetta oversaw the search for terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. He played a key part in the operation that killed bin Laden on May 1, 2011.
Secretary of Defense (2011–2013)
Nomination and Inauguration
On April 28, 2011, President Obama announced that Panetta would be the new United States Secretary of Defense. This role involves leading the entire U.S. military. On June 21, 2011, the Senate confirmed Panetta with a unanimous vote. He officially started the job on July 1, 2011.
Key Actions as Defense Secretary
One of Panetta's first big actions was to help end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This allowed openly gay people to serve in the military.
He also worked on the defense budget. Panetta warned that big cuts could weaken the military. He helped create a new defense strategy for the country. He also looked at ways to manage military healthcare costs.
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Another important issue during his time was preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Panetta stated that the U.S. would not allow Iran to cross this "red line."
In January 2013, before he left his role, Panetta announced a major change. Women would be allowed to enter all combat jobs in the military. This was a historic step for women in the armed forces.
Other Activities and Later Career
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In 1997, Panetta and his wife, Sylvia, started the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. This institute is located at California State University, Monterey Bay. Panetta helped create this university campus when he was a Congressman. The institute aims to inspire and prepare people for public service.
Panetta has also been a strong supporter of protecting the world's oceans. He chaired the Pew Oceans Commission. This group studied how to better manage and protect ocean resources.
In 2014, Panetta wrote his memoir called Worthy Fights. In the book, he shared stories from his long career in public service.
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Panetta spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. He continues to advise on important national issues. For example, he joined a group of former defense secretaries in 2021. They published an article telling President Trump not to involve the military in election results.
He also joined the Council for Responsible Social Media in 2022. This project works to address the negative effects of social media in the United States.
Other Roles and Boards
Panetta has served on the boards of many organizations. These include:
- Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
- Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
- National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
- New York Stock Exchange
- Blue Shield of California
- Oracle Corporation
He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Partnership for a Secure America. This group works to find solutions for national security and foreign policy issues.
Personal Life
Panetta is Catholic. He is married to Sylvia Marie Varni. She managed his local offices when he was in Congress. They live on their family's 12-acre walnut farm in Carmel Valley, California. They have three sons and six grandchildren. In 2016, his son, Jimmy Panetta, was elected to his father's former congressional seat.
Awards and Honors
- 1966: Army Commendation Medal
- 1969: Abraham Lincoln Award, National Education Association
- 1988: Golden Plow Award, American Farm Bureau Federation
- 1991: Coastal and Ocean Management Award, Coastal Zone Foundation
- 1993: Peter Burnett Award for Distinguished Public Service
- 1995: Distinguished Public Service Medal, Center for the Study of the Presidency
- 2001: John H. Chafee Coastal Stewardship Award, Coastal America
- 2005: Received honorary Doctorates from University of Wisconsin–Parkside and Northeastern University
- 2012: Intrepid Freedom Award, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- 2012: Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
- 2014: Excellence in Policy, Peter Benchley Ocean Awards
- 2015: Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, National Defense Industrial Association
- 2018: Sylvanus Thayer Award from the United States Military Academy
- 2019:
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun - 2023: Prize For American-Italian Relations, Center for American Studies (Rome)
- 2024: Inducted into the California Hall of Fame
Images for kids
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Leon Panetta's signature
