Marlin Fitzwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marlin Fitzwater
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Fitzwater in 1987
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| 18th White House Press Secretary | |
| In office January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 Acting: February 1, 1987 – January 20, 1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Larry Speakes (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Dee Dee Myers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Max Marlin Fitzwater
November 24, 1942 Salina, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Kansas State University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Unit | Air National Guard |
Marlin Fitzwater (born November 24, 1942) is an American writer and journalist. He is best known for being the White House Press Secretary for six years. This important job means he spoke for the U.S. President to the news media.
Fitzwater worked for two different U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. This makes him one of the longest-serving press secretaries ever. He is also the only person to be chosen for this role by two different presidents!
Contents
Early Life and School
Marlin Fitzwater was born in a hospital in Salina, Kansas. His family lived on a farm in Dickinson County, Kansas. He went to school in Abilene, Kansas from kindergarten until he graduated in 1960.
He studied journalism at Kansas State University and earned his degree in 1965. While he was in college, he worked at several newspapers in Kansas. After graduating, he moved to Washington, D.C..
In 1966, Fitzwater joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard. He served for two years on active duty from 1968 to 1970.
Working for the Government
In Washington, D.C., Fitzwater worked for several U.S. government agencies. These included the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
At the EPA, he was the spokesperson who explained how America was dealing with toxic waste. He also helped share information about disaster sites like Love Canal in New York. In 1980, he was named an "Outstanding Civil Servant" for his work.
From 1981 to 1982, he worked at the Department of the Treasury.
At the White House
Marlin Fitzwater started working at the White House in 1983. He stayed there until 1993.
Serving President Reagan
When James Brady, the Press Secretary for President Reagan, was shot in 1981, he could not return to work. Even though Brady kept his title, Fitzwater became the main spokesperson for President Reagan. He was called the "Assistant to the President for Press Relations." He held this job until Reagan left office in 1989.
During this time, when Mikhail Gorbachev from the Soviet Union visited the U.S., Fitzwater held joint press conferences with his Soviet counterpart. Over 7,000 journalists attended these briefings!
Serving President George H.W. Bush
When George H. W. Bush became president in 1989, he chose Fitzwater to be his spokesperson too. This time, his title was "Assistant to the President and Press Secretary." Later, he also served as the communications director for about a year.
After the White House
In 1992, Fitzwater received the Presidential Citizens Medal. This is the second-highest award a civilian can get in the United States.
He also worked as a writer and consultant for two seasons on the TV show The West Wing. This show was about the White House.
In 2002, he started the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire.
Personal Life
Marlin Fitzwater married Melinda Andrews in 1999. He was previously married to Linda Kraus, and they have two children, Bradley and Courtney. He lives in Deale, Maryland.
Fitzwater has appeared on many national news shows, like Meet the Press and Larry King Live, to share his experiences.
Books by Marlin Fitzwater
Marlin Fitzwater has written several books.
Nonfiction Books
- Call the Briefing! This book is a popular memoir about his ten years working in the White House. It is often called a "textbook" for how White House press relations work.
- Calm Before The Storm: Desert Storm Diaries and Other Stories.
Fiction Books
- Esther's Pillow: A Novel
- Death in the Polka Dot Shoes
