James P. Mitchell

October 9, 1953 to January 20, 1961

From New Jersey. Held a wide range of jobs to finance his education. Had a retail business of his own; became a labor relations executive in the retail industry. Was Department of Army manpower expert in World War II.

Appointed by Dwight Eisenhower. He was a staunch advocate of human relations and labor-management cooperation; strengthened America's workforce for peace and war; brought strong attention to the fight against employment discrimination and the plight of migrant workers. He established the machinery for administration of the Landrum-Griffin Act. He improved DOL organization and clarified the roles of the federal labor agencies to reduce overlapping functions. Inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame in 1989.

Portrait Artist: C.J. Fox