| Max Friedersdorf | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 1987 | |
| White House Director of Legislative Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 1981 – January 2, 1982 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Frank Moore |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Duberstein |
| In office December 31, 1974 – January 20, 1977 | |
| President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Bill Timmons |
| Succeeded by | Frank Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Max Lee Friedersdorf (1929-07-07)July 7, 1929 Grammer, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 31, 2020(2020-05-31) (aged 90) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | New Mexico State University Franklin College (BA) American University (MA) |
Max Lee Friedersdorf (July 7, 1929 – May 31, 2020) was an American federal administrative bureaucrat, reporter, diplomatic ambassador and corporate president serving as deputy assistant, secretary in the Presidential administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
Early life, education and journalism career
Friedersdorf attended New Mexico State University, graduated with BA in journalism Franklin College and with an MA in communications from American University. He became a city editor at the Franklin Evening Star, and later a reporter for the Louisville Times, the Chicago Daily News and the Indianapolis News, often covering politics.
Political career
From 1961 to 1970 Friedersdorf served as administrative assistant and press secretary to Congressman Richard L. Roudebush. In 1970, he was the Office of Economic Opportunity Director of Congressional Relations. From 1971 to 1974, Friedersdorf served as Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs in the Nixon administration. After Nixon's resignation, Friedersdorf continued as Deputy Assistant to President Ford until 1975, eventually became the President's Assistant for Legislative Affairs. Friedersdorf served as Staff Director of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from January 1977 until his appointment as Chair of the Federal Election Commission in February 1979. He left the Commission on December 16, 1980, to accept the position of Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs to President-elect Reagan. He also served a consul to Bermuda from 1980 to 1982 and as ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament.
Reagan assassination attempt
Main article: Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
On March 30, 1981, President Reagan and others were wounded in an attempted assassination by John Hinkley. Friedersdorf was summoned to the George Washington University Hospital to assist with security at Reagan's room, and to provide support for Nancy Reagan.
Friedersdorf later stated that he expected the Reagan tax package to have the momentum to move forward, without undue influence of sympathy due to the incident. It passed as the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.
Corporate service
In 1983, Friedersdorf became vice president of public affairs at Pepsico Inc.
Personal life and death
Friedersdorf married Priscilla Marion Jones and they had two children. Friedersdorf died on May 31, 2020, of respiratory failure.
References
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1981/06/29/the-capitol-connection/73b197af-239d-419e-9d74-7752c3e0aba8/
- "FCHS Alumni Hall of Fame: Mr. Max Friedersdorf". Franklin Community Schools. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- "Max L. Friedersdorf". Federal Election Commission. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- "Max Friedersdorf". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- Bell, Jonathan (June 24, 2020). "Max Friedersdorf (1929-2020)". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- "MEMORIES OF THE ATTEMPTED REAGAN ASSASSINATION". University of Virginia Miller Center. 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- Matthews, Chris (September 30, 2013). "When the president and the speaker were a team". NBC News. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- David S. Broder, Helen Dewar, and Lou Cannon (April 1, 1981). "Rise in Reagan's Popularity Seen, With Little Impact on Hill Prospects". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- "U.S. Aide Gets Pepsico Post". The New York Times. September 13, 1983. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- "Max L. Friedersdorf 1929 - 2020". Legacy. June 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
External links
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Friedersdorf Oral History at Gerald Ford Presidential Foundation
- Max L. Friedersdorf Papers at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
- Friedersdorf Oral History at the University of Virginia Miller Center of Public Affairs