Cleland, Max, 1942-2021

Joseph Maxwell Cleland (August 24, 1942 – November 9, 2021) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party from Georgia, he notably served as a Georgia State Senator from 1971 to 1975, as the 10th Administrator of Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1981, as the 23rd Secretary of State of Georgia from 1983 to 1996, and as a United States Senator from Georgia from 1997 to 2003.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Lithonia, Georgia, he graduated from Lithonia High School before earning a B.A. degree from Stetson University and an M.A. degree from Emory University. A year into his master’s program, Cleland entered the army, eventually attaining the rank of captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh. On April 8, 1968, Captain Cleland was the Battalion Signal Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division; with a month left in his tour, Cleland was ordered to set up a radio relay station on a nearby hill. A helicopter flew him and two soldiers to the treeless top of Hill 471, east of Khe Sanh. When the helicopter landed, Cleland jumped out, followed by the two soldiers. They ducked because of the rotor wash and turned to watch the liftoff. Cleland reached down to pick up a grenade that he believed had fallen off of his flak jacket. It exploded and the blast slammed him backward. Due to the severity of his wounds, doctors amputated both of Cleland's legs above the knee, and his right forearm.

As he grew stronger, Cleland decided to pursue a career in politics. Cleland served from 1971 to 1975 in the Georgia Senate, and became an advocate for affairs relating to veterans. He was the administrator of the United States Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter, a fellow Georgian, from 1977 to 1981. He then served 14 years as Secretary of State of Georgia from 1982 to 1996, working closely with his future Senate colleague, Zell Miller. During this period, Cleland promoted a penny stock law in Georgia which would become the template for national regulations to curb stock manipulation abuses. Following the retirement of Sam Nunn, Cleland ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996 and won by just 30,000 votes over Republican Guy Millner.

Cleland was viewed as a moderate in the Senate. Though he supported some Republican budgetary measures, and voted in favor of George W. Bush's 2001 tax-cut package, he was staunchly pro-choice and pro-environment. He voted against drilling in ANWR, and opposed Gale Norton's nomination as Secretary of the Interior in 2001. His record on national defense and homeland security was more centrist. He voted to federalize airport security after 9/11, and supported the war on terror. Cleland was strongly pro-free trade, voting to normalize trade relations with Vietnam, to make China's NTR status permanent, and to extend free trade to Andean nations. Cleland was one of the 29 Senate Democrats who backed the authorization to go to war in Iraq. He later stated he had misgivings about the Bush administration's stance, but said he felt pressure in his tight Senate race to go along with it. Though initially a favorite for re-election, Cleland ended up losing to Republican Saxby Chambliss by seven points.

Cleland was originally appointed to serve on the 9/11 Commission but resigned shortly after, having been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. During his time away from politics, Cleland taught at American University. On May 21, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Cleland to serve as the next Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was appointed Secretary on June 3, and served in the position until the end of Obama's second term as president.

Cleland died at his Atlanta home of heart failure.