Alexander Reichwald

**Alexander Grant Reichwald** (born January 22, 1920) is an American politician, businessman, veteran, who is the 42nd and current President of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Senator for the Northwest from 1977 to 1981, and Governor of Colorado from 1967 to 1977. He also served as Ambassador to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977, Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation from 1961 to 1965, and US Ambassador to Israel from 1959 to 1961. Prior to his government service, Reichwald previously held the position of COO for Lockheed Corporation from 1953 to 1959 and, in his military service, reached the rank of Major after serving in the USAF from 1942 to 1953.

Reichwald was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, moving with his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1932 when he was twelve. He studied at the University of Michigan, graduating with a double major in Business and Public Policy, before joining the Air Force and fighting in the Pacific Theater in World War II. After the end of the war, Reichwald remained in service in the Air Force, eventually climbing the ranks before retiring as a Major.

Due to his connections in the Air Force and his notable business acumen, Reichwald was able to line up a job as Chief Operations Officer of Lockheed Corporation following his return to civilian life. He temporarily moved to California, where he reconnected with Emily Conners, a college classmate who he would go on to date for 5 years. The two married in 1958.

Reichwald, an outspoken advocate for improved relations with Israel, exhibited a significant strength for diplomacy and negotiations in his time at Lockheed. President Eisenhower took notice, and nominated Reichwald as Ambassador to Israel in 1959. At the time, Reichwald's political affiliation was Independent, and he was confirmed by the Senate to serve as Ambassador, a position he held for 2 years. This early start led to a degree of name recognition within government circles for Reichwald, who had already made connections regarding Lockheed's defense contracts. This would lead to a nomination as Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation by President Kennedy, a position he would hold for 4 years, under both President Kennedy and Johnson. During this time, he assisted in structuring plans for the Department of Transportation, as well as modernizing federal air and land infrastructure policy.

Following these political appointments, Reichwald officially declared his partisan status as a Democrat in 1965, following the end of President Johnson's first term and the end of his time in the Cabinet. In 1966, Reichwald began his campaign for Governor of Colorado, winning the race soundly and taking office in 1967. He was re-elected twice, in 1970 and 1974, leaving his office halfway through his third term to take office as Senator for the Northwest. During his time as Governor, Reichwald pioneered legislation regarding Native Americans, renewable energy, the state economy, and elimination of bureaucracy. During this time, Reichwald garnered national recognition as a critic of the Ross Administration in regards to relations between the United States and Israel. This earned Reichwald a temporary position as Ambassador to the United Nations under President Theodore Hanson, after he ascended to the Presidency following Ross's death. This was Reichwald's first time serving in a major, visible Cabinet position, and laid the foundations for his status as a definitive figure in the American political history of the 1970s.

Reichwald was elected as a Senator from the Northwest in 1976, taking office in January of 1977. During his tenure in the Senate, Reichwald garnered a reputation as the most conservative Democrat in the Senate. He introduced major legislation, including the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, the Alaska National Interest Lands Act of 1979, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, compensation, and Liability Act of 1979, Indian Child Welfare Act, Campaign Financing Act, Ethics in Government Act, and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.