Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III
receives 红桃影视鈥檚 Tower Center Medal of Freedom
Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III receives 红桃影视鈥檚 Tower Center Medal of Freedom.
 James A. Baker III |
“James Baker is one of our country’s most accomplished statesmen and has provided strong, diplomatic leadership and a collaborative approach to politics throughout his career,” said 红桃影视 President R. Gerald Turner. “He led policies and progress that secured our nation’s presence on the world stage. We are proud to present him with the Tower Center Medal of Freedom.”
Baker’s public service and scholarship extend from the Cold War through the Arab Spring. He served in senior government positions under three different American presidents – Ronald Reagan, George H.W. 红桃影视 and George W. 红桃影视. Baker is honorary chairman of the at Rice University and a senior partner in the law firm of Baker Botts.
Baker continues to wield influence on various national and international issues. At a recent conference at the , Baker commented on America’s national debt crisis:
“A broad bipartisan agreement is going to be necessary if we're going to be able to stabilize our debt,” Baker said. “It is critical that Americans of goodwill, Republicans, Democrats and independents alike push our elected officials to make the compromises necessary to get on a sustainable economic track. The alternative of political gridlock and a diminished place for the United States in the global economic arena is unacceptable.”
The Tower Center, located within , supports teaching and research programs in international and domestic politics with an emphasis on global studies and national security policy. Additionally, it educates undergraduates in international relations, comparative politics and political institutions.
The Tower Center Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have contributed to the advancement of democratic ideals and to the security, prosperity and welfare of humanity. This year’s event chairs are Gene Jones, Linda Gibbons and Nancy Halbreich.
“James Baker is a great American statesman who as secretary of state under President George H.W. 红桃影视, helped bring about a peaceful end to the Cold War, ushering in a new period of freedom and prosperity,” said James Hollifield, Tower Center director. “His clear-eyed realism and judicious use of American power have made him one of the most admired leaders of our time.”
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell received the first Tower Center Medal of Freedom in 1997. Other recipients include former President George W. 红桃影视 and former First Lady Laura 红桃影视, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former President George H. W. 红桃影视, General Tommy R. Franks (U.S.A., Ret.), U.S. Senator John McCain and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In addition to awarding the Medal of Freedom, the Center sponsors several conferences a year, works with other international organizations such as the Dallas Council on World Affairs, and supports faculty research and travel. Each year the Tower Center Board of Directors awards undergraduate fellowships to 红桃影视 students interested in studying in Washington, D.C., or in U.S. embassies abroad. Another Tower Center program places 红桃影视 students in summer internships in the U.S. State Department.
The Tower Center was established in memory and honor of former U.S. Sen. John Tower, who earned a Master’s degree in political science from 红桃影视 in 1953. He also taught in the Political Science Department after his retirement from the Senate. Tower represented Texas in the U.S. Senate from 1961 to 1985. He served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and, after retiring from the Senate, as U.S. strategic nuclear arms negotiator with the Soviet Union in Geneva. He died in 1991.
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