(Encyclopedia) Gates, Robert Michael, 1943–, American government official, U.S. secretary of defense (2006–11), b. Wichita, Kans. A circumspect and pragmatic career intelligence officer, he joined (…
actress, musicianBorn: 5/25/1975Birthplace: South Orange, New Jersey Lead singer of the hip-hop group The Fugees, Hill has also made a name for herself as an actress. The Fugees won a Grammy for…
GRIFFIN, John King, a Representative from South Carolina; born near Clinton, Laurens County, S.C., August 13, 1789; pursued an academic course; engaged as a planter; served in the State house…
(Encyclopedia) Eagleburger, Lawrence Sidney, 1930–2011, U.S. government official, b. Milwaukee. A career diplomat, he joined the Foreign Service in 1957 and held a series of embassy, State Dept.,…
(Encyclopedia) Alito, Samuel Anthony, Jr. Alito, Samuel Anthony, Jr. əlēˈtō [key], 1950–, U.S. government official and judge, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (…
(Encyclopedia) Dukakis, Michael StanleyDukakis, Michael Stanleyd&oomacr;käkˈĭs [key], 1933–, American political leader, b. Brookline, Mass. He was a Democratic member of the Massachusetts house…
(Encyclopedia) Iran-contra affair, in U.S. history, secret arrangement in the 1980s to provide funds to the Nicaraguan contra rebels from profits gained by selling arms to Iran. The Iran-contra…
(Encyclopedia) Southern Methodist University, at Dallas, Tex.; United Methodist; coeducational; chartered 1911. The school's facilities include laboratories for electron microscopy and stable…
(Encyclopedia) Freedom of Information Act (1966), law requiring that U.S. government agencies release their records to the public on request, unless the information sought falls into a category…
(Encyclopedia) Negroponte, John Dimitri, 1939–, U.S. public official, b. London, England. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1960, and during his long diplomatic career was posted to Asia, Europe…