(By Bill O'Leary for The Washington Post)

Contact Information
Background from The Post

He has never run for public office, but Commerce Secretary William M. Daley is regarded as a skilled politician, particularly in the wake of the NAFTA agreement he helped broker. Daley has been a key adviser to his brother, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and worked on his behalf with the local business community. Taking over the Commerce helm from Clinton adviser Mickey Kantor, Daley promised reforms on several controversial issues, including patronage and international trade missions.

Sworn in: Jan. 30, 1997 (nominated Dec. 13, 1996)

Succeeded: Mickey Kantor, acting commerce secretary (1996-97)

Previous occupation: Special counsel to President Clinton on NAFTA, 1993; Partner, law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt; president and chief operating officer of Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, 1990-93, vice chairman, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, 1989-90; lawyer, firm of Daley and George, Chicago; Advisory Council, Economic Opportunity, 1977-80.

Education: Loyola University, Chicago (B.A.); John Marshall Law School, Chicago (LL.B); honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, John Marshall Law School.

Hometown: Chicago

Date of Birth: Aug. 9, 1948

Spouse: Loretta

Children: Two daughters and a son

Religion: Roman Catholic

Of note: Daley, the country's 32nd commerce secretary, chaired the 1992 Clinton campaign in Illinois and served as co-chairman of the 1996 Democratic National Convention host committee. Daley is a member of one of Illinois' most famous political family dynasties; his brother, Richard M. Daley, is mayor of Chicago, following in the footsteps of their father, Richard J. Daley, who was mayor from 1955 to 1976.

Department of Commerce
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
(202) 482-2000
FAX: (202) 219-5168
E-mail: WDaley@doc.gov
http://www.doc.gov/