If he is confirmed by the Senate, Rod Paige will be the seventh U.S. secretary of education. Here are the six people who have held the post so far:
Secretary Tenure in Office President
Shirley M. Hufstedler Dec. 6, 1979-Jan. 20, 1981 Carter
Terrel H. Bell Jan. 23, 1981-Dec. 31, 1984 Reagan
William J. Bennett Feb. 6, 1985-Sept. 20, 1988 Reagan
Lauro F. Cavazos Sept. 20, 1988-Dec. 15, 1990 Reagan, Bush
Lamar Alexander March 18, 1991-Jan. 2, 1993 Bush
Richard W. Riley Jan. 21, 1993-present Clinton
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education.
