Last updated on: 7/27/2011 | Author: ProCon.org

Alan Greenspan, PhD Biography

Title:
Former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve
Position:
Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should the Government Allow Immigrants Who Are Here Illegally to Become US Citizens?"
Reasoning:

“[T]here is little doubt that unauthorized, that is, illegal, immigration has made a significant contribution to the growth of our economy. Between 2000 and 2007, for example, it accounted for more than a sixth of the increase in our total civilian labor force…

[E]conomists generally view the overall economic benefits of this workforce as significantly outweighing the costs. Accordingly, I hope some temporary worker program can be crafted.”

Testimony before the US Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security, judiciary.senate.gov, Apr. 30, 2009
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with advanced degrees in fields relevant to immigration. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to immigration.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • President, Greenspan Associates, LLC
  • Member, Advisory Board, Paulson & Co. Inc., Jan. 2008-present
  • Senior Advisor, Deutsche Bank AG, Aug. 2007-present
  • Consultant, Pacific Investment Management Co LLC, May 2007-present
  • Recipient, Defense Department Distinguished Public Service Award, Jan. 2006
  • Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Aug. 1987-Jan. 2006
  • Former ex officio member, Board of Directors, Bank for International Settlements
  • Recipient, Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2005
  • Member, Board of Directors, Council on Foreign Relations, 1982-1988
  • Chairman, National Commission on Social Security Reform, 1981-1983
  • Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under US President Gerald Ford, 1974-1977
  • Former member, Board of Directors, J.P. Morgan, Alcoa, Mobil Corp., General Foods, and other corporations
  • Former clarinetist, The Henry Jerome Orchestra
Education:
  • PhD, Economics, New York University, 1977
  • MA, New York University, 1950
  • BS, New York University, 1948
  • Attended Columbia University
Other:
  • Married NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, Apr. 6, 1997
  • Born Mar. 6, 1926, New York, NY
Quoted in:
  1. Is Illegal Immigration an Economic Burden to America?