The Guardian

Minnesota native James D. Hodgson (b. Dec. 3, 1915) serves in the Navy as an officer during World War II and goes on to become vice president for industrial relations at Lockheed Corp. As secretary of labor, Hodgson is instrumental in the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which President Nixon signs into law in December 1970. Hodgson expands the department's regulatory responsibilities and, to aid Vietnam-era veterans, leads an expansion of employment and training programs under the Emergency Employment Act of 1971. After leaving his post as secretary of labor, he is named as U.S. ambassador to Japan.