There was an overwhelming standing ovation when former U.S. senator and one time Chief of Staff for Ronald Reagan, Howard Baker Jr. took the podium at Cox Auditorium to introduce long time friend and colleague, Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. 

“The Baker Center represents the culmination of dreams and aspirations and I think you will be pleased with what you see. But my friends, it is not what you see that is important, it is what we do in the future that is important. There is no one who is more symbolic of that aspiration. We are extremely fortunate to have Justice O'Connor here today," Baker said.

O’Connor, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Ronald Reagan, spoke thoughtfully of  Baker and his dedication to public service throughout his extensive legal and political career. "It's such an appropriate way to honor Sen. Baker and his marvelous legacy and it's such a great thing for the University and the state to have such an association. The creation of the Baker Center is one more accolade for Sen. Howard Baker, Jr.," former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said.

She went on to highlight a common goal she shares with Baker concerning the education of young people about the three branches of government, most notably, the judicial branch.

"If we fail to educate young people, to be active and informed participants in our government at all levels, there's no question that our democracy will suffer," she explained. 

Her work since retiring as a Supreme Court Justice has centered around bolstering civic education, most recently with the creation of a Web site that

"For those of you in the audience who may not have made up your minds yet on a career, you might take inspiration from Senator Baker's career altering decision when he returned from the Navy after World War II," O'Connor said.

O'Connor went on to describe Baker's strange transition from the Navy to law school. He intended on enrolling in the University of Tennessee's mechanical engineering program but was turned away after standing in line for hours because the program filled up.

As he was about to drive to his home in Huntsville, Tenn., he saw a light on in the law school and decided to see if there were any openings in the program. Fortunately for Baker, there was room, and he began his illustrious career as an attorney.

Baker took the opportunity at UT's Law School and ran with it, finding career altering advice, again, in the most unlikely of places.

"It's a damn poor lawyer who can't tell it better than he can show it," Justice O'Connor exclaimed. Her comment was in reference to advice one of Baker's early mentors offered when he tried to use photographic evidence to support a case.

Baker carried the advice throughout his career as an attorney and politician, becoming renowned for his opinionated nature.

As a closing observation, Justice O'Connor poked fun at Baker's constant assertion of his opinions: "After your very first speech on the floor of the Senate, your father-in-law, the late Senator Everett Dirksen, came up to you with the following words of wisdom: 'You should occasionally enjoy the luxury of an unexpressed thought.'"

The Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy will hold an open house on November 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  The general public is encouraged to attend to learn about the various programs and opportunities available at the center.