James Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Baker
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Official portrait, 1989
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| 10th and 16th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office August 24, 1992 – January 20, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Robert Zoellick |
| Preceded by | Samuel K. Skinner |
| Succeeded by | Mack McLarty |
| In office January 20, 1981 – February 3, 1985 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | Michael Deaver |
| Preceded by | Jack Watson |
| Succeeded by | Donald Regan |
| 61st United States Secretary of State | |
| In office January 25, 1989 – August 23, 1992 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Lawrence Eagleburger |
| Preceded by | George Shultz |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Eagleburger |
| 67th United States Secretary of the Treasury | |
| In office February 4, 1985 – August 17, 1988 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | Richard G. Darman M. Peter McPherson |
| Preceded by | Donald Regan |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas F. Brady |
| United States Under Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office August 2, 1975 – May 7, 1976 |
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| President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | John Tabor |
| Succeeded by | Edward Vetter |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Addison Baker III
April 28, 1930 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (since 1970) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 1970) |
| Spouses |
Mary Stuart McHenry
(m. 1953; died 1970)Susan Garrett
(m. 1973) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Rosebud Baker (granddaughter) |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) University of Texas at Austin (LLB) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1952–1954 (active) 1954–1958 (reserve) |
| Rank |  Captain |
James Addison Baker III (born April 28, 1930) is an American lawyer and diplomat. He is a member of the Republican Party. He held important jobs in the U.S. government for two presidents.
He was the White House Chief of Staff and United States Secretary of the Treasury for President Ronald Reagan. Later, he became the U.S. Secretary of State for President George H. W. Bush. He also served as Chief of Staff again for President Bush.
Contents
Who is James Baker?
James Baker was born in Houston, Texas. He went to Princeton University and served in the United States Marine Corps. After law school, he became a lawyer.
He became good friends with George H. W. Bush. This friendship led him into politics. He worked on Bush's political campaigns.
He also worked for President Richard Nixon. In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed him as Under Secretary of Commerce.
Early Life and Education
James Addison Baker III was born in Houston on April 28, 1930. His father was a lawyer. His family had a history of lawyers and judges.
He went to The Hill School, a boarding school. In 1952, he graduated from Princeton University. He studied history there.
From 1952 to 1954, he served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a first lieutenant. He served in the Mediterranean Sea. He stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1958 and became a captain.
In 1957, he earned a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He then started practicing law in Texas.
Starting a Career in Politics
James Baker's first wife, Mary Stuart McHenry, was active in the Republican Party. She worked on campaigns for George H. W. Bush. James Baker was a Democrat at first. But his wife's interest led him to politics and the Republican Party.
George H.W. Bush and Baker were friends. When Bush ran for the United States Senate in 1970, Baker helped him. Baker became the campaign chairman for Bush in his home county.
Even though Bush lost the election, Baker stayed in politics. He became the finance chairman for the Republican Party of Texas in 1971. He also helped with Richard Nixon's presidential campaign in 1972.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed Baker as Under Secretary of Commerce. He later managed Ford's presidential campaign in 1976. In 1978, Baker ran for Attorney General of Texas but did not win.
Working with President Reagan
White House Chief of Staff
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan chose James Baker as his White House Chief of Staff. This was a very important job. The Chief of Staff helps manage the White House and the President's daily schedule.
Baker had a lot of influence in Reagan's first term. He especially helped with domestic policy. He also managed Reagan's successful re-election campaign in 1984.
Secretary of the Treasury
In 1985, President Reagan appointed Baker as United States Secretary of the Treasury. This job involves managing the country's money and economy. Baker switched jobs with Donald Regan, who became the new Chief of Staff.
As Treasury Secretary, Baker helped create important economic agreements. He also played a role in creating the American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle coins. These coins were first released in 1986.
Baker also served on Reagan's United States National Security Council. He stayed as Treasury Secretary until 1988. Then, he left to manage George H. W. Bush's successful presidential campaign.
Working with President George H.W. Bush
Secretary of State
After George H. W. Bush won the election, he appointed James Baker as United States Secretary of State in 1989. The Secretary of State is the President's main advisor on foreign policy. This means they handle relationships with other countries.
Baker was Secretary of State during a very important time. The Cold War was ending, and the Soviet Union was breaking apart. He helped guide U.S. foreign policy during these big changes.
He also helped create a group of 34 nations that fought with the United States in the Gulf War. This war was fought to free Kuwait from Iraq.
Baker also worked to bring peace between Israel and Arab countries. He helped organize the Madrid Conference in 1991. This conference tried to restart peace talks in the Middle East.
In 1991, James Baker received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the United States.
Back as White House Chief of Staff
In 1992, James Baker returned to the White House as White House Chief of Staff for President George H.W. Bush. He also led Bush's re-election campaign.
However, despite his past successes, Bush lost the 1992 election to Bill Clinton.
After Government Service
After leaving government, James Baker continued to be active in public affairs.
In 1993, he became the honorary chairman of the James A. Baker III Institute of Public Policy at Rice University. This institute studies public policy.
He also worked as a consultant for the Enron Corporation. Later, he became a senior partner at the law firm Baker Botts. He also joined the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm.
From 1997 to 2004, Baker served as a special envoy for the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. He tried to help find a peaceful solution for the region.
In 2000, he received the Woodrow Wilson Award for public service.
Helping with the 2000 Election
In 2000, James Baker was a chief legal advisor for George W. Bush during the presidential election. He helped oversee the vote recount in Florida. This recount was very important and got a lot of attention.
The 2008 movie Recount tells the story of those days. Actor Tom Wilkinson played James Baker in the film.
Advice on the Iraq War
Baker also advised President George W. Bush on Iraq. In 2003, he was a special envoy. He asked other countries to forgive Iraq's debts. These debts were from the time of Saddam Hussein.
In 2006, Congress formed the Iraq Study Group. This group was made of important former officials. They were asked to study U.S. policy in Iraq. Baker was the Republican co-chairman of this group.
Personal Life
James Baker married his first wife, Mary Stuart McHenry, in 1953. They had four sons together. Mary Stuart Baker passed away in 1970.
In 1973, Baker married Susan Garrett Winston. She had two sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. Together, James and Susan had one daughter.
One of Baker's granddaughters, Virginia Graeme Baker, sadly drowned in a spa in 2002. This led to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool And Spa Safety Act. This law helps make pools and spas safer. Another granddaughter, Rosebud Baker, is a stand-up comedian.
Awards and Honors
- Jefferson Awards for Public Service (1985)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991)
- Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1998)
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2015)
Images for kids
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The Troika (from left to right): Chief of Staff James Baker, Counselor to the President Ed Meese, and Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver at the White House in 1981.
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President Ronald Reagan announcing James Baker's nomination as Secretary of the Treasury in 1985.
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Secretary of the Treasury James Baker with U.S. president Ronald Reagan and Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker at the White House Press Room in 1987.
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Baker with President George H. W. Bush at a conference in 1990.
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State Department Portrait of James Baker.
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Baker arriving in Kuwait, 1991.
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Secretary of State James Baker with President George H.W. Bush in the Oval Office of the White House in 1991.
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Secretary of State James Baker with U.S. president George H.W. Bush and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Robert McCormick Adams during a visit to Samuel P. Langley Theater in 1992.
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Baker arriving in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2015.
See also
In Spanish: James Baker para niños
