Draft:Gary Lee Sisco
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Gary Lee Sisco | |
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29th Secretary of the United States Senate | |
In office October 1, 1996 – July 11, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Kelly D. Johnston |
Succeeded by | Jeri Thomson |
Personal details | |
Born | Bolivar, Tennessee, U.S. |
Spouse | Mary Sue Sisco |
Education | University of Mississippi George Washington University |
Gary Lee Sisco (born in Bolivar, Tennessee) is an American government administrator who served as the 29th Secretary of the United States Senate from 1996 to 2001. Appointed by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Sisco oversaw critical technological and administrative reforms during his tenure, including managing the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.[1]
Early life and career
[edit]Sisco was born into a blue-collar family in Bolivar, Tennessee, where his father served as a county sheriff.[2] He attended the University of Mississippi, where he befriended future Senator Trent Lott, and later earned a degree from George Washington University.[1] Sisco began his political career working for Senator Howard Baker in both Memphis and Washington, D.C. He managed Lamar Alexander's successful 1974 gubernatorial campaign in Tennessee and later served as administrative assistant to Representative Robin Beard.[1]
Tenure as Secretary of the Senate
[edit]Sisco was elected Secretary of the Senate on October 1, 1996, following a resolution formally notifying the President and the House of Representatives of his appointment.[3][4] Key achievements during his term included:
- Modernizing the Senate's financial systems, including the implementation of a new Financial Management Information System.[1]
- Overseeing administrative logistics for the 1999 impeachment trial of President Clinton, including the formal receipt of impeachment articles from the House.[1]
- Coordinating planning and funding for the Capitol Visitor Center.[1]
- Managing nonpartisan operations during a period of intense political division, earning bipartisan praise for his professionalism.[2]
Sisco resigned in July 2001 after the Senate majority shifted to Democrats, opting to allow the new leadership to appoint their own secretary.[2] His resignation was marked by a Senate resolution commending his service, sponsored by Lott and endorsed by Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.[2]
Later career and legacy
[edit]After leaving the Senate, Sisco returned to private business in Tennessee. Colleagues praised his integrity and ability to modernize Senate operations while maintaining institutional traditions. His tenure is noted for balancing technological advancements with the Senate's historical continuity.
Personal life
[edit]Sisco married Mary Sue Sisco, a Mississippi native, whom he met through Trent Lott's wife. They have children and maintain ties to Tennessee.
See also
[edit]- Secretary of the United States Senate
- Impeachment of Bill Clinton
- Trent Lott
- United States Capitol Visitor Center
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "About the Secretary of the Senate". U.S. Senate. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Congressional Record Commendation of Gary Sisco". GovInfo. 2001. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "Senate Resolution 308 (1996)". TrackBill. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "Senate Resolution 309 (1996)". TrackBill. Retrieved 12 April 2025.