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n Jan. 9, then President-elect Barack Obama announced his nomination of Leon Panetta B.A. ’60, J.D. ’63 to be the next head of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Senate Intelligence Committee approved Panetta’s nomination, and on Feb. 13, Panetta was confirmed by the full Senate on a voice vote. At the press conference announcing the nomination, Presidentelect Obama described Panetta as “one of the finest public servants of our time” adding, “he has handled intelligence daily, at the very highest levels, and time and again he has demonstrated sound judgment, grace under fire, and complete integrity.” “Let me be clear. In Leon Panetta, the Agency will have a director who has my complete trust and substantial clout,” President-elect Obama continued. “He will be a strong manager and a strong advocate for the CIA. He knows how to focus resources where they are needed, and he has a proven track record of building consensus and working on a bipartisan basis with Congress. I am confident that he will strengthen the CIA’s capability to protect the American people as it continues to adapt to our reformed intelligence community.” An eight-term congressman and the former chief of staff to President Clinton, Leon Panetta earned his bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University in 1960, and, in 1963, his juris doctor from Santa Clara Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. A former member of Santa Clara Law’s Board of Visitors,
santa clara law spring 2009
Panetta celebrated the 45th anniversary of his graduation at his class reunion this past September at the Law Reunion Weekend festivities (see Page 20). He also received the Santa Clara Law Diversity Award at a celebration in October. “Leon Panetta has a long and distinguished career of service to this country,” said Santa Clara Law Dean Donald Polden. “His confirmation as head of the CIA reflects the tremendous respect that
N AN C Y M A RT IN
Leon Panetta, Director of the CIA, Underscores the Importance of Governing by Leadership
Panetta has close ties to SCU.
“Today we have the responsibility to exercise leadership and to take the risks associated with leadership to guide this country in the right direction. And so I take this oath with the commitment that I will seek to provide that leadership as director of the CIA.” —Leon Panetta B.A. ’60, J.D. ’63 President Obama and Senate members have for Leon and his ability to lead that critical agency with ethics and integrity. The entire Santa Clara Law community is proud of him and his commitment to government service and leadership in public service.” At his swearing in ceremony on Feb. 13, Leon Panetta underscored the importance of strong leadership in his new role. “In our democracy, we govern either by leadership or
by crisis...Too often in this country, we have governed largely by crisis,” he said. “And today we have the responsibility to exercise leadership and to take the risks associated with leadership to guide this country in the right direction. And so I take this oath with the commitment that I will seek to provide that leadership as director of the CIA.” For more on Panetta, visit law.scu. edu/sclaw.