Joseph A. Califano Jr.

Joseph A. Califano Jr. is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1977 to 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. He played a significant role in shaping federal social policies, particularly around health and education. Before that, he was an aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson and contributed to major legislative initiatives like Social Security and civil rights laws. After his government service, Califano became a prominent advocate for public health and policy reform, founding the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.