Cavazos, U.S. Cabinet’s 1st Latino, Quits

Lauro F. Cavazos, the first Latino ever appointed to the Cabinet, resigned today as secretary of education.

He is the second member of President Bush’s Cabinet to depart in recent weeks.

There was no immediate reason given for Cavazos’ decision to resign, and the resignation letter did not say what Cavazos plans to do.

Adminstration sources said Cavazos had tired of criticism aimed at his performance behind the scenes by White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu. His critics had faulted the education chief as an inadequate salesman for the Administration’s policies, who never mastered television skills.

Cavazos, 63, has led the Department of Education since 1988. He was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan and held over in the job by Bush.

Bush, in a letter accepting Cavazos’ resignation, said: “For more than two years, and under two Presidents, you have distinguished yourself through your devotion to improving the education of our nation’s children.”

Bush mentioned the Cavazos resignation in passing during a speech on education today before a group called Jobs for America’s Graduates. Calling Cavazos “my dear friend,” Bush cited his contributions to setting national education goals and said, “I think the country will always be very, very grateful to him for his service to country.”

The Department of Education said Ted Sanders, now the deputy secretary of education and former Illinois schools chief, will serve as acting secretary upon Cavazos’ departure.

Cavazos, in his own letter, said he is stepping down effective Dec. 15.