18 Facts About Marlin Fitzwater

Marlin Fitzwater is the only US Press Secretary to be appointed by two different US Presidents.

Marlin Fitzwater attended school in Abilene, Kansas from kindergarten to his graduation in 1960.

Marlin Fitzwater received a degree in journalism from Kansas State University in 1965.

Marlin Fitzwater spent two years on active duty from 1968 to 1970 with service at Homestead Air Force Base, MacDill Air Force Base, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

In Washington, Marlin Fitzwater served at various federal agencies, including the Appalachian Regional Commission, the US Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Marlin Fitzwater was the spokesman who explained the toxic waste disposal problem in America and developed the public information activities related to disaster sites like Love Canal in New York State.

Marlin Fitzwater was named Outstanding Civil Servant in government in 1980.

Marlin Fitzwater served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of the Treasury from 1981 to 1982.

Marlin Fitzwater headed to the White House in 1983 and served until 1993: He served in the Reagan White House as president's spokesman under the title Assistant to the President for Press Relations from 1987 to 1989, until Reagan left office in 1989.

Marlin Fitzwater served as the president's spokesman during this period, under the title of Assistant to the President for Press Relations.

Marlin Fitzwater served in this capacity until Reagan left office in 1989.

When Mikhail Gorbachev first visited the United States, in Reagan's first term, Marlin Fitzwater gave joint press briefings with his Soviet counterpart.

Bush took over as president in 1989, Marlin Fitzwater was again tapped to be the presidential spokesman, this time with the title of Assistant to the President and Press Secretary.

Later in the administration, Marlin Fitzwater became communications director for about a year under the title Counselor to the President.

Marlin Fitzwater was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian award, in 1992.

Marlin Fitzwater worked on The West Wing as a writer-consultant for two seasons.

Marlin Fitzwater was previously married to Linda Kraus, with whom he has two children, Bradley and Courtney.

Marlin Fitzwater has been profiled numerous times on television and has appeared on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, Larry King Live, and nearly all national news broadcasts.