A former prosecuting attorney, state legislator, Governor of Florida for eight years, former chairman of two federal commission, and ambassador and member of the president's Cabinet, Reubin Askew has served at every level of American government. In 1958, Askew was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and in 1962 to the Florida Senate. In 1970, Askew was elected Governor of Florida, confounding experts who had dismissed the young legislator's aggressive campaign. He won re-election by an overwhelming vote in 1974, becoming the first Governor to serve two successive four year terms. President Carter appointed Askew United States Trade Representative in 1979. As a member of the President's Cabinet, and as an Ambassador, Askew functioned as the President's principal advisor and the nation's principal spokesman on international trade. Upon resigning from the Cabinet at the expiration of the President's term, ambassador Askew returned to Miami and the law firm that he joined after serving as governor. He resigned from the firm in May 1988 and in July 1988, he became of counsel to the law firm of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson.