Millions roll in for Baker Institute in celebration of James A. Baker III's 80th birthday

It was a lovefest in black-tie on the Rice University campus Saturday night when former Secretary of State James A. Baker III celebrated his 80th birthday with a fundraiser benefiting the Baker Institute for Public Policy.

If affection were measured in greenbacks, this evening of salutes and toasts, including verbal bouquets from former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, evolved into a vast sea of adoration. The dinner alone enriched the celebrated think tank by more than $2 million. Then, trial lawyer Joe Jamail stepped up with another $1 million, a generous birthday gift that garnered Jamail and his late wife, Lee, naming rights for the west wing of the institute's Baker Hall.

President Bush described Baker as "one of our dearest friends in life . . .  a man who has done so very much for this city, this country and, I would say, for the world." 

Baker tossed the praises right back, saying, "I am truly blessed that you (Bush) are not just my thoughtful mentor but also my very caring friend  . . . who has supported me, defended me and made me a better man."

Three scions of the city's leading families — Isabel Stude Lummis, Courtney Lanier Sarofim and Aliyya Kombargi Stude — chaired the seated dinner and dance that drew a heavy-hitter crowd of 650. The guest list read like a Who's Who of Houston beginning with gala honorary chairs and generous contributors Shahla and Hushang Ansary, past Iranian ambassador to the U.S.; and Baker Institute founding director Edward P. Djerejian, who joined the trio of young dames in chairing the evening.

Guests joining Molly and Jim Crownover, Rice board chair, at their table provided a look at the level of power players attending — the publicity-shy Forbes billionaire John Arnold and wife Laura, Anadarko CEO Jim Hackett and wife Maureen, and Susan and Larry Kellner, who retired as Continental Airlines CEO in December. Nearby, was Rice University president David Leebron and wife Y. Ping Sun, who hosted Louise and Dr. Denton Cooley, Joan Schnitzer Levy and Irvin Levy, and Melinda and Mike Perrin. 

The Perrins are in-laws of Susan and James Baker's daughter Mary Bonner Baker Perrin, who is married to Hunter Perrin, lead guitarist for John Fogerty. Mary Bonner led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to her father. Susan Baker reported that all of their children had made it into town for the celebration.

Beyond family members, the elaborate party tent resonated with the generosity of mega contributors who saluted Baker with six-figure contributions — PepsiCo co-founder Donald Kendall and wife Sigfrid, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and wife Janice, businessman Jamal Daniel and wife Rania and the Qatar Embassy.

Guests dined on fine fare from City Kitchen in a setting reminiscent of a formal wedding with lavish white floral bouquets and white linens accented with bits of greenery. Among the notables (and the list is endless) were Lynn Wyatt, Dr. James Willerson, Anne and Albert Chao, Pat and Dan Breen, Isabel and Wallace Wilson, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Elyse and Bob Lanier, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Ann and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Cornelia and Meredith Long and Paula and Sam Douglass.