On the recordJune 26, 2014
I have unfortunate news. We have lost a great American and a great Tennesseean, Senator Howard Baker, Jr. Senator Baker passed away today. Howard Baker served this country well, and he served it in a fashion that was worthy of admiration from both parties and all people because he was an American first, a Tennesseean second, and a Republican third. He served three terms in the United States Senate. He served as majority leader and minority leader. He served as the United States Ambassador to Japan, and he served as Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan. He was a private practicing attorney as well, at the firm Baker Donelson, which was a firm his grandfather started, and he practiced law at one time with his father, who served in this House as a United States Representative from Tennessee. Howard Baker had been recognized since his retirement from the Senate on many occasions. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and had received other awards. His was a life well lived and a life to be demonstrated to others as a role for legislators to work with both sides of the aisle and to work for America first. A life well lived, Howard Baker. ____________________
