Henry Cisneros

Henry Cisneros is a renowned American politician, who served as the Mayor of San Antonio from 1981 to 1989 and as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1993 to 1997, under the administration of President Bill Clinton. During his tenure, he worked closely with Vice President Al Gore and Senator Ted Kennedy to implement various Urban renewal projects, including the Empowerment Zone program, in collaboration with Federal Reserve and Department of Commerce. His efforts were also supported by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Senator Barbara Boxer, who shared his vision for Affordable housing and Community development. Cisneros's work was influenced by the ideas of Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses, and he often sought advice from Urban planners like Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

● Early Life and Education

Henry Cisneros was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Mexican-American parents, and grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood, where he was influenced by the Catholic Church and the Labor movement. He attended Edison High School and later enrolled in Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in Urban planning and was involved with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Cisneros then pursued a master's degree in Public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he studied under Daniel Patrick Moynihan and David Riesman. During his time at Harvard, he was exposed to the ideas of John Kenneth Galbraith and Arthur Schlesinger Jr., which shaped his views on Urban policy and Social justice.

● Career

Before entering politics, Cisneros worked as an Urban planner in San Antonio and was involved with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the League of United Latin American Citizens. He also collaborated with Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei on various Urban design projects, including the River Walk in San Antonio. Cisneros's experience in Urban planning was influenced by the work of Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and he often sought advice from Planners like Kevin Lynch and Jane Holtz Kay. His work in San Antonio was recognized by Mayor John Lindsay of New York City, who invited him to participate in the National League of Cities.

● Mayor of San Antonio

As Mayor of San Antonio, Cisneros focused on Economic development and Urban renewal, working closely with Business leaders like Ross Perot and Michael Dell. He implemented various initiatives, including the San Antonio Downtown Alliance and the River City Federal Development Corporation, which were supported by Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Congressman Henry B. González. Cisneros also collaborated with Architects like Philip Johnson and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill on the design of the San Antonio Central Library and the Tower of the Americas. His efforts were recognized by President Jimmy Carter, who appointed him to the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity.

● Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

As United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Cisneros worked to address the Affordable housing crisis and promote Community development initiatives, in collaboration with Federal agencies like the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. He implemented programs like HOPE VI and the Community Development Block Grant program, which were supported by Senator Paul Sarbanes and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Cisneros also worked with Private sector partners like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase access to Mortgage financing for Low-income families, and he often sought advice from Economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman. His efforts were recognized by President Bill Clinton, who awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

● Post-Government Career

After leaving Government, Cisneros has remained active in Public policy and Urban development, serving on the boards of organizations like the National Housing Conference and the Urban Land Institute. He has also worked as a Consultant and Advisor to Private companies like Countrywide Financial and Lennar Corporation, and has collaborated with Academics like Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin on Urban studies research projects. Cisneros has written extensively on Urban policy and Housing issues, publishing articles in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and has spoken at conferences like the World Urban Forum and the National League of Cities.

● Personal Life

Cisneros is married to Mary Alice Perez, and they have three children together, including John Cisneros, who has followed in his father's footsteps in Public service. He is a member of the Catholic Church and has been involved with various Charitable organizations, including the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Cisneros has received numerous awards for his Public service, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been recognized by Institutions like the Harvard University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, which have awarded him Honorary degrees for his contributions to Urban development and Public policy.