Baker, Howard H. oral history interview, 2001

Item

Identifier: MOH 262

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Interview includes discussions of: family political history; committee assignments in the Senate; meeting Muskie; debating issues with Muskie; environmental legislation; operation of the subcommittee; working with Richard Nixon on particular issues; going to Nixon’s home for a meeting; encounters after Muskie’s career; Muskie as Secretary of State; and Muskie’s contributions.

Dates

2001

Access Restrictions

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Biographical / Historical

Howard Henry Baker, Jr. was born in Huntsville, Tennessee on November 15, 1925. His father was a Congressman from Tennessee, and his mother died when he was eight. He attended Tulane University, and graduated from the University of Tennessee Law College in 1949. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. In 1964, he unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate. He was successful on his second attempt in 1966, being elected as a Republican. He served from 1967 to 1985, was Minority Leader from 1977 to 1981, and Majority Leader from 1981 to 1985. He served on the Environmental Protection and Public Works Committees. In 1980, he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination. He served as Chief of Staff to Ronald Reagan from 1987-1988 and as Ambassador to Japan 2001-2005.