Former U.S. Secretary of State

Profile:

Henry Alfred Kissinger was born in Fuerth, Germany, came to the United States in 1938 and was naturalized a United States citizen in 1943. He served in the Army from 1943 to 1946.

He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College in 1950 and received M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University in 1952 and 1954.

From 1954 until 1969, he was a member of the faculty of Harvard University, in both the Department of Government and the Center for International Affairs. He was Director of the Harvard International Seminar from 1952 to 1969.

Secretary Kissinger has written six books and more than forty articles on United States foreign policy, international affairs, and diplomatic history. Among the awards he has received are the Guggenheim Fellowship (1965-66), the Woodrow Wilson prize for the best book in the fields of government, politics and international affairs (1958), the American Institute for Public Service Award (1973). Other awards include: the Veterans of Foreign Wars Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Service Medal (1973), the HOPE Award for International Understanding (1973), the George Catlett Marshall Award (1973), the Society of the Family of Man Award (1973), the Charles Evans Hughes Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1973), the Nobel Peace Prize (1973), the American Legion Distinguished Service Medal (1974), and the Wateler Peace Prize (1974).

He has served as a consultant to the Department of State (1965-1968), United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (1961-68), RAND Corporation (1961-68), National Security Council (1961-62), Weapons Systems Evaluation Group of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1959-60), Operations Coordinating Board (1955), Director of the Psychological Strategy Broad (1952), and Operations Research Office (1951).

Dr. Kissinger was sworn in on September 22, 1973, as the 56th Secretary of State, a position he held until January 20, 1977. He also served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from January 20, 1969, until November 3, 1975.

In July 1983, he was appointed by President Reagan to chair the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America until it ceased operation in January 1985, and from 1984-1990 he served as a member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

Among the awards Dr. Kissinger has received have been the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973; the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the nation's highest civilian award) in 1977; and the Medal of Liberty (given one time to ten foreign-born American leaders) in 1986.

Secretary Kissinger married the former Nancy Maginnes on March 30, 1974. He is the father of two children, Elizabeth and David, by a previous marriage.

At present, Dr. Kissinger is Chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc., an international consulting firm.