Howard Malcolm Baldrige, Jr.
| Malcolm Baldrige Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 26th United States Secretary of Commerce | |
|
In office January 20, 1981 – July 25, 1987 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Philip M. Klutznick |
| Succeeded by | C. William Verity |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Howard Malcolm Baldrige Jr. October 4, 1922 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | July 25, 1987 (aged 64) Walnut Creek, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | North Cemetery in Woodbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Trowbridge Murray Baldrige (m. 1951 - 1987; until his death) |
| Relations | Robert Connell Baldridge Letitia Baldrige |
| Children | Megan Brewster Baldrige Mary Trowbridge Baldrige |
| Parents |
Howard Malcolm Baldrige, Sr. Regina Katherine Connell Baldrige |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Foundryman, Rodeo team roper, Businessman |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Congregationalist |
Howard Malcolm "Mac" Baldrige Jr. (October 4, 1922 – July 25, 1987) was an American businessman. He served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from 1981 until his death in 1987. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1988.
Baldrige was born on October 4, 1922 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the son of H. Malcolm Baldrige, Sr. (1894–1985), a congressman from Nebraska, and the former Regina Katherine Connell (1896–1967). He had a brother, Robert Connell Baldridge (he alone returned the second "d" to his last name, which had been dropped in previous generations), and a sister, Letitia Baldrige.
He attended The Hotchkiss School and Yale University. At Yale, he was a member of a Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Baldrige began his career in the manufacturing industry in 1947, as the foundry hand in an iron company in Connecticut and rose to the presidency of that company by 1960. During World War II, Baldrige served in combat in the Pacific as Captain in the 27th Infantry Division. On March 31, 1951, Baldrige married Margaret "Midge" Trowbridge Murray, with whom he had two daughters.
Prior to entering the Cabinet, Baldrige was chairman and chief executive officer of Scovill, Inc., Waterbury, Connecticut. Having joined Scovill in 1962, he is credited with leading its transformation to a highly diversified manufacturer of consumer, housing and industrial goods from a financially troubled brass mill.
Baldrige was nominated to be Secretary of Commerce by President-elect Ronald Reagan on December 11, 1980, and confirmed by the United States Senate on January 22, 1981. During his tenure, Baldrige played a major role in developing and carrying out Administration trade policy. He took the lead in resolving difficulties in technology transfers with China and India. Baldrige held the first Cabinet-level talks with the Soviet Union in seven years which paved the way for increased access for U.S. firms to the Soviet market. He was highly regarded by the world's most preeminent leaders.
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