Born This Day: Senator Robert F. Kennedy

By JIM PURCELL

Born this day, on November 20, 1925, was Robert Francis Kennedy, commonly known as "RFK." RFK was a politician originally from Massachusetts. He was the 64th U.S. Attorney General, appointed by his brother, President John F. Kennedy. As Attorney General, RFK served from Jan. 1961 to Sept. 1964. He then went on to serve as a U.S. senator, representing the state of New York, from January 1965 until his assassination, in 1968. At the time of his death, Robert Kennedy was the Democratic candidate for the Presidential Election that year; his main competition coming from then-former Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Robert F. Kennedy

Before Mr. Kennedy was murdered by 24-year-old Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian, he was running on alleviating the plight of the poor, racism against African-Americans, Hispanics and unfair business practices against union and non-union laborers.

RFK served during World War II as a seaman apprentice in the United States Navy Reserve, from 1944 until 1946. After the service, Robert Kennedy went on to earn degrees from both Harvard University and the University of Virginia. Prior to serving in public office, Mr. Kennedy was employed as a correspondent for the Boston Globe. Later, he worked as an assistant counsel for the Senate committee chaired by then-Sen. Joe McCarthy.

RFK served as the campaign manager for his brother, John's, presidential campaign run in 1960.

Former Atty Gen'l Janet Reno Dies at 78 Years Old

Janet Reno

THIS JUST IN...

By JIM PURCELL

According to the Associated Press, reporting from Miami less than two hours ago, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Wood Reno,78, died during the early morning hours today, Monday, November 7. Reportedly, she died from complications that arose as a result of Parkinson's disease.

Ms. Reno served as the attorney general between 1993-2000, after being nominated by then-President Bill Clinton. Notably, Ms. Reno was the first woman ever to serve in that position within the U.S. Government.

Ms. Reno was born in Miami, to parents who were both reporters for the Miami Herald. She attended public school in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and was a valedictorian and a debating champion at Coral Gables High School.

Ms. Reno then enrolled in Cornell University, in 1956, in Ithica, New York. There she became president of the Women's Self-Government Association and majored in chemistry. After her bachelor's degree was completed, Ms. Reno entered Harvard Law School, in 1963, where she earned her law degree.

In 1978, Ms. Reno was appointed as state attorney for Dade County and was then elected to the Office of State Attorney in 1978. At the time she was nominated for the post of U.S. attorney general, she was actually President Clinton's third choice. Previously, two of his nominee's, Zoe Baird and Kimba Woods, failed to be approved because both had employed undocumented immigrants as nannies.

During Ms. Reno's tenure as U.S. attorney, there were several high-profile situations that have since become pages in the nation's history. These include: the 51-day siege in Waco, Texas with Branch Davidians; bringing suit against Microsoft for violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act; prosecution of 21 persons of the Montana Freemen after an 81-day armed standoff; the capture and conviction of Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the "Unabomber"; and the capture and conviction of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, among others.