PENA, FEDERICO.

Born in Laredo, Texas in 1947, Federico Peña earned a J.D. at the University of Texas School of Law in 1972. He subsequently moved to Denver, Colo. to work as an attorney. In 1979, he was elected as a democrat to the Colorado House of Representatives, eventually became minority leader. Peña went on to become the first hispanic Mayor of Denver, serving two terms (1983-1990). During the Clinton administration, Peña was appointed Secretary of Transportation (1993-1997) and Secretary of Energy (1997-1998). At the end of Clinton's second presidency, Peña returned to Denver as a Senior Advisor for the investment firm of Vestar Capital Partners. He became one of the firm's Managing Directors in 2000. "Peña Boulevard," which connects Denver International Airport (DIA) to Interstate 70 is named for him. During his terms as Denver's Mayor, Peña had spearheaded efforts to build the new airport.

From the description of Federico Peña papers, 1984-1997 [manuscript]. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 213374806

Federico Fabian Peña was born March 15, 1947 in Laredo, Texas. He received a B.A. in 1969 and a J.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas. He became a practicing attorney in Colorado and was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1979, where he rose to become minority Leader. In 1983, he defeated a 14-year incumbent to become the first Hispanic Mayor of Denver, a post to which he was re-elected in 1988. Peña Boulevard, a limited-access expressway in Denver connecting Denver International Airport to Interstate Highway 70, was named for him. As mayor of Denver, he led the effort to build the airport. He was Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 1997. He was nominated to be Secretary of Energy December 19, 1996, confirmed on March 12, 1997, and served March 12, 1997 to June 30, 1998. Following his government service, he became head of an investment firm.

From the description of Peña, Federico F. (Federico Fabian), 1947- (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10572786