Melvin R. Laird

(1922- ) born in Omaha. Politician, government official, known as influential member of Appropriations Committee while U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin from 1953 to 1969, he caused the platform of the Republican Party in 1964 to stress effective implementation of the civil rights law passed by Congress, was U.S. Secretary of Defense who developed strategy of more emphasis on regional alliances and on securing cooperation of U.S. Allies in military commitments, appeared on cover of Time, August 15 and August 29, 1969 and Newsweek, March 31, 1969; recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1974. Consult Current Biography (1964) 241-243.

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