Pedro A. Cortés
Encyclopedia
Pedro A. Cortés is the former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
.
, a Master in Public Administration from Penn State University
, and a Law Degree from The Pennsylvania State University — Dickinson School of Law. He also holds a certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management from The Pennsylvania State University
and Doctorate Degrees honoris causa
from King's College
and Harcum College
.
In 2004, Cortés was one of 40 state leaders from across the country selected to participate in the renowned Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments. His peers elected him 2004 Class Representative.
from April 2, 2003 until June 11, 2010. He was the first confirmed Latino Cabinet member and the longest serving Secretary of State in Pennsylvania history.
A lawyer by training, Cortés was the Senior Advisor for Latino Affairs to three Pennsylvania Governors. As the Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, he made recommendations to the Governors and their administrations on policies, procedures and legislation that enhanced the status of the Latino community in Pennsylvania. As the Governor's liaison to the Latino community, he ensured that state government was accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of Latinos and that strategies and programs were developed to enhance the community's social and economic status. Secretary Cortés’ professional pursuits have also included work with the State Civil Service Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
For years, Cortés has participated in numerous community and government-related organizations, including the National Association of Secretaries of State
(NASS). NASS is the oldest national nonpartisan professional organization of public officials in the United States. From July 2008 to July 2009, Secretary Cortés fulfilled the role of NASS President, making him the first Pennsylvania Secretary of State to enjoy that distinction in the organization’s 104-year history. Under his leadership, the association strengthened cooperative relationships between the states and actively engaged the White House, Congress and federal agencies. During the same period, NASS developed effective public policies in the areas of elections administration, voter participation, business services, securities, international relations and state heritage. As Immediate Past President of NASS, Secretary Cortés continues to work with his colleagues from across the nation to lead the organization to greater heights on behalf of its member states.
By statute, Cortés was the Chairperson of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries, Chairperson of the Board of Property, and a member of the Board of Finance and Revenue, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board and the State Athletic Commission. The Secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and has the duty of authenticating government documents through the seal's use. Cortés was also the Commonwealth's Chief Election Official.
In December 2009, Cortés was elected as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness. Formed in 2005 at the recommendation of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court with the concurrence of the governor and legislative leaders, the Commission's purpose is to ensure that people of every race, gender and ethnic background are treated fairly and respectfully throughout all offices of state government.
A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico
, Cortés has lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
since 1990. He is married to Lissette Lizardi-Cortés and they have a daughter, Gabriela.
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administers the Pennsylvania Department of State of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania...
.
Education and Training
Secretary Cortés earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
, a Master in Public Administration from Penn State University
Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg, also called The Capital College, is an undergraduate college and graduate school of the Pennsylvania State University. The main campus of Penn State Harrisburg is located in Lower Swatara Township, 9 miles south of Harrisburg...
, and a Law Degree from The Pennsylvania State University — Dickinson School of Law. He also holds a certificate in Public Sector Human Resources Management from The Pennsylvania State University
Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg, also called The Capital College, is an undergraduate college and graduate school of the Pennsylvania State University. The main campus of Penn State Harrisburg is located in Lower Swatara Township, 9 miles south of Harrisburg...
and Doctorate Degrees honoris causa
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from King's College
King's College, Pennsylvania
King's College is a liberal arts college located in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, King's has been ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 16 straight years...
and Harcum College
Harcum College
Harcum College is a two-year independent residential college located on Philadelphia’s Main Line in Bryn Mawr, PA. Harcum, “the College of Possibilities,” Philadelphia region's oldest independent, two-year college, was founded in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1915 by Edith Hatcher Harcum and her husband Marvin...
.
In 2004, Cortés was one of 40 state leaders from across the country selected to participate in the renowned Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments. His peers elected him 2004 Class Representative.
Public service
Cortés served as Pennsylvania Secretary of StateSecretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administers the Pennsylvania Department of State of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania...
from April 2, 2003 until June 11, 2010. He was the first confirmed Latino Cabinet member and the longest serving Secretary of State in Pennsylvania history.
A lawyer by training, Cortés was the Senior Advisor for Latino Affairs to three Pennsylvania Governors. As the Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, he made recommendations to the Governors and their administrations on policies, procedures and legislation that enhanced the status of the Latino community in Pennsylvania. As the Governor's liaison to the Latino community, he ensured that state government was accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of Latinos and that strategies and programs were developed to enhance the community's social and economic status. Secretary Cortés’ professional pursuits have also included work with the State Civil Service Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
For years, Cortés has participated in numerous community and government-related organizations, including the National Association of Secretaries of State
National Association of Secretaries of State
The National Association of Secretaries of State , founded in 1904, is the oldest non-partisan professional organization of public officials in the United States, composed of the Secretaries of State of U.S. states and territories. Currently, all secretaries of state, including Washington D.C.,...
(NASS). NASS is the oldest national nonpartisan professional organization of public officials in the United States. From July 2008 to July 2009, Secretary Cortés fulfilled the role of NASS President, making him the first Pennsylvania Secretary of State to enjoy that distinction in the organization’s 104-year history. Under his leadership, the association strengthened cooperative relationships between the states and actively engaged the White House, Congress and federal agencies. During the same period, NASS developed effective public policies in the areas of elections administration, voter participation, business services, securities, international relations and state heritage. As Immediate Past President of NASS, Secretary Cortés continues to work with his colleagues from across the nation to lead the organization to greater heights on behalf of its member states.
By statute, Cortés was the Chairperson of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries, Chairperson of the Board of Property, and a member of the Board of Finance and Revenue, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board and the State Athletic Commission. The Secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and has the duty of authenticating government documents through the seal's use. Cortés was also the Commonwealth's Chief Election Official.
In December 2009, Cortés was elected as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness. Formed in 2005 at the recommendation of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court with the concurrence of the governor and legislative leaders, the Commission's purpose is to ensure that people of every race, gender and ethnic background are treated fairly and respectfully throughout all offices of state government.
Awards and recognition
- 2010 Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law, Widener University School of LawWidener University School of LawWidener University School of Law is the ABA accredited law school of Widener University. The school, founded in 1971 as the Delaware Law School, operates on two of Widener's campuses, one in Wilmington, Delaware, and the other in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania....
(Harrisburg, PA). - 2009 Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latino, December 2009, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2009 Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service, Harcum College (Bryn Mawr, PA).
- Philip J. McConnaughay Outstanding Achievement Award, April 2009, The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University (Carlisle, PA).
- 2009 Pennsylvania Report 100, The Pennsylvania Report (Harrisburg, PA).
- 2008 Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latino, December 2008, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2008 El Award, November 2008, El Diario La PrensaEl Diario La PrensaEl Diario la Prensa is the largest and oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper in New York City, and the oldest Spanish-language daily in the United States. Published by ImpreMedia, the paper covers local, national and international news with an emphasis on Latin America, as well as human-interest...
(New York, NY). - 2008 Siempre Boricua Award, National Puerto Rican Coalition (Washington, DC).
- 2008 Excellence in Civic Engagement Award, June 2008, PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2008 Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities, King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, PA).
- 2007 Delaware Valley’s Mover & Shaker Award, December 2007, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2007 March Fong Eu Achievement Award, National Notary Association (Los Angeles, CA).
- 2007 The 50 Most Influential People in Notarization in the Last 50 Years, National Notary Association (Los Angeles, CA) and March Fong Eu Achievement Award.
- 2007 Siembra Award, Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Pittsburgh, PA)
- 2006 Cornelius Award, December 2006, Arms Around Harrisburg – Day Spring Ministries (Middletown, PA).
- 2006 Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latino, December 2006, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2006 Outstanding Community Service Award, Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Legal Education Fund (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2006 PHRC’s 50th Anniversary Outstanding Public Service in Promoting Equal Opportunity Award, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission(Harrisburg, PA).
- 2006 Center for Intercultural Leadership and Communication Award, March 2006, Penn State Abington (Abington, PA).
- 2006 Public Policy Fellow, Franklin and Marshall College (Lancaster, PA).
- 2005 Pennsylvania State University Alumni Fellow award, the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association of The Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA).
- 2005 Rev. William Howard Day Leadership Award, Wesley Union Community Development Corporation (Harrisburg, PA).
- 2004 Pride Award – Public Service Category, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (Harrisburg, PA).
- 2004 Alumni Achievement Award, Penn State Harrisburg (Middletown, PA).
- 2004 Latin American Cultural Union Award, Latin American Cultural Union (Pittsburgh, PA).
- 2004 Citizen of the Year Award, Puerto Rican Festival (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2004 Class Representative of the renowned Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by the Council of State Governments.
- 2004 Pan American Day Recognition, The Pan American Association of Philadelphia.
- 2003 Forty Under 40 Business Leaders, Central Penn Business Journal (Harrisburg, PA).
- 2003 Lawyers on the Fast Track, American Lawyer Media (Philadelphia, PA).
- 2003 One Hundred Most Influential Latinos in the United States, Hispanic Business Magazine (Santa Barbara, CA).
- 2003 Latino Leadership Award, Puerto Rican Cultural Alliance (Allentown, PA).
- 2003 Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Community Service, City of Harrisburg, Mayor Stephen R. Reed (Harrisburg, PA).
- 2002 Leadership Award, Harrisburg Area Community College (Harrisburg, PA).
Personal life
Cortés is the first Puerto Rican Secretary of State in the United States, outside of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
, Cortés has lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
since 1990. He is married to Lissette Lizardi-Cortés and they have a daughter, Gabriela.