Nearly 700 people attended a gala on April 24 at the Baker Institute to celebrate the 80th birthday of The Honorable James A. Baker, III. Guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and a toast from one of Mr. Baker's closest friends, President George H.W. Bush.
The event raised $3 million for the institute, including a $1 million gift from Houston attorney and philanthropist Joseph D. Jamail.
Read the Baker Institute Update newsletter for additional information about the gala.
You can also download video of the remarks by:
- President George H.W. Bush (wmv, mp4);
- The Honorable James A. Baker, III (wmv, mp4); and
- Baker Institute founding director The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian (wmv, mp4).
The Honorable James A. Baker, III, right, with The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian (Photo by Bill Olive)
Gala co-chairs Aliyya Stude, Courtney Sarofim and Isabel Lummis (Photo by Bill Olive)
Gala hosts and honorary chairs, The Honorable Hushang Ansary and Mrs. Shahla Ansary (Photo by Bill Olive)
Franￃﾧoise Djerejian with Joseph D. Jamail, whose $1 million gift to the institute was announced during the gala, and Clare Glassell (Photo by Bill Olive)
President George H.W. Bush congratulates his friend, The Honorable James A. Baker, III (Photo by Richard Carson)
The Honorable James A. Baker, III, stands with his wife, Susan Baker, in front of his birthday cake (Photo by George Wong)
A special 80th birthday book retracing James A. Baker, III's personal and public life, authored by Françoise Djerejian in collaboration with Rice University Director of Creative Services Jeff Cox, was presented as a gift to the donors attending the gala.