James A. Baker III remembers Barbara Bush

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, honorary chair of Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and White House chief of staff to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, is pictured with former first lady Barbara Bush prior to the institute’s 20th anniversary gala Nov. 8, 2013. Joining them that evening were George H.W. Bush and Baker’s wife, Susan Baker. Former President George W. Bush, one of the Bushes’ sons, was the gala’s featured speaker.

On April 17, Baker issued a statement on the passing of Barbara Bush, who died in Houston at age 92:

“Susan and I are deeply saddened to lose a beloved friend who was a passionate voice for volunteerism and the view that everyone should believe in something larger than self. Barbara Bush challenged each of us to build a better world by empowering people through literacy. As only one of two women in American history who can be called First Lady and First Mother, she was matriarch of a family that remains as dedicated to public service as it was to politics. We Americans were fortunate to have had Barbara and George Bush as one of the best First Couples of all time. We send our deepest love and affection to President Bush and to his entire family.”

(Photos by Tommy LaVergne)