Biography Malcolm Baldrige Jr.

1 biography

1.1 life , career
1.2 secretary of commerce
1.3 death , legacy

biography
early life , career

baldrige born on october 4, 1922 in omaha, nebraska. son of h. malcolm baldrige, sr. (1894–1985), congressman nebraska, , former regina katherine connell (1896–1967). had brother, robert connell baldridge (he alone returned second d last name, had been dropped in previous generations), , sister, letitia baldrige.

he attended hotchkiss school , yale university. @ yale, member of delta kappa epsilon.

baldrige began career in manufacturing industry in 1947, foundry hand in iron company in connecticut , rose presidency of company 1960. during world war ii, baldrige served in combat in pacific captain in 27th infantry division. on march 31, 1951, baldrige married margaret midge trowbridge murray, whom had 2 daughters.

prior entering cabinet, baldrige chairman , chief executive officer of waterbury, connecticut-based brass company scovill, inc. having joined scovill in 1962, credited leading transformation highly diversified manufacturer of consumer, housing , industrial goods financially troubled brass mill.

secretary of commerce

malcolm baldrige jr.

baldrige nominated secretary of commerce president-elect ronald reagan on december 11, 1980, , confirmed united states senate on january 22, 1981. during tenure, baldrige played major role in developing , carrying out administration trade policy. took lead in resolving difficulties in technology transfers china , india. baldrige held first cabinet-level talks soviet union in 7 years paved way increased access u.s. firms soviet market. highly regarded world s preeminent leaders.

baldrige imelda marcos

leading administration s ward effort pass export trading company act of 1982, baldrige named president chair cabinet-level trade strike force search out unfair trading practices , recommend ways end practices. leader in reform of nation s antitrust laws.

baldrige s award-winning managerial excellence contributed long-term improvement in economy, efficiency, , effectiveness in government. within commerce department, baldrige reduced budget more 30% , administrative personnel 25%.

how plain english works business, twelve case studies published u.s. department of commerce introduction, in 1984. in twelve chapters on how translations of complex legal wording or bureaucratic jargon simplified , made more clear reader. in section on insurance policy language, example showed cumbersome nature of while policy has loan value, owner may obtain advance xyz company upon assignment of policy sole security. became can loan on policy while has loan value. policy can sole security loan.

baldrige s introduction read, in part, talking or writing in plain english challenge both private , public sectors. in book of case studies, 12 corporations , trade associations tell how met challenge. grateful efforts officials have given partnership project.

malcolm baldrige jr.

baldrige worked during boyhood ranch hand , earned several awards professional team roper on rodeo circuit. professional rodeo cowboys association s rodeo man of year in 1981 , installed in hall of great westerners of national cowboy , western heritage museum in oklahoma city, oklahoma, in 1984. baldrige once appeared on television game show tell truth pretending rodeo tie-down roping champion dean oliver. inducted prorodeo hall of fame in colorado springs, colorado, in 1988, rodeo s highest honor.

death , legacy

secretary of commerce baldrige died in northern california on july 25, 1987, after sustaining internal injuries rodeo accident while participating in calf-roping competition when horse riding fell on him @ jack roddy ranch in brentwood in east contra costa county, 45 miles (70 km) east of san francisco. following accident, baldrige flown helicopter john muir hospital in walnut creek, california, internal injuries severe. baldrige buried in north cemetery in woodbury, connecticut.

his service secretary of commerce 1 of longest in history. baldrige said have been possibly colorful secretary of commerce , 1 of beloved.

baldrige proponent of quality management key country s prosperity , long-term strength. took personal interest in legislation became quality improvement act of 1987 , helped draft 1 of versions. in recognition of contributions, congress named annual award (see malcolm baldrige national quality award) product quality in honor.

in 1987, after death, national oceanic , atmospheric administration renamed oceanographic research ship noaas researcher (r 103) in baldrige s honor, ship becoming noaas malcolm baldrige (r 103).

on october 17, 1988, baldrige presented posthumously presidential medal of freedom president ronald reagan.