Born in Mission, Texas. Graduate of University of Texas in 1942. Married Beryl Ann Longino November 27, 1943. They had three children. Served as major in U.S Air Force 1942 to 1945 and received the D.F.C. Practiced law 1945 to 1948. Judge in Texas 1946 to 1948.

Served in House of Representatives 1948 to 1955. Served in U.S. Senate 1971 to 1993. Democratic party candidate for vice president in 1988.

Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Clinton in 1993 and served January 20, 1993, to December 22, 1994. Later partner in a law firm.

Bentsen appears on a mint medal as one of the series for Secretaries of the Treasury. The medal (USM 233) issued March 25, 1994, was designed by Thomas D. Rogers.

He died at home in Houston.

bio: BDC; CB 73; IntWW 92-93; NYT 88; WWA 94, 04; WWAmPol; WWS&SW 78 obit: CW 6/19/06