Jose Federico Carvajal

President of the Senate (1982-1989), Spain.

Award Motivation

For his role in fighting fascist oppression and advancing and defending democracy in Spain.

Award details

Born in 1930, José Federico Carvajal served as the President of the Senate of Spain from 1982 to 1989. Shortly after graduating with a Law degree from the Central University in 1956, he became a member of the International Bar Association, defending numerous cases before the Court of Public Order. From 1954 he was a member of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and wishing to become more actively involved in politics, he ultimately ran for and was elected as Senator for the province of Ávila in 1977. His successful time as Senator of Ávila led to him eventually being elected Senator of Madrid in 1982 and later that year, President of the Senate of Spain. He held this position for two terms before once again being elected as a senator in the 1986 elections. In 1989 during the general election he was appointed Deputy to the Congress by the province of Madrid where he became a member of the Constitutional Commission.

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