Howard Malcolm Baldrige

Howard Malcolm Baldrige (June 23, 1894 – January 19, 1985) was an American lawyer and politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1931 to 1933.

Early Life and Career

Howard Malcolm Baldrige was born on June 23, 1894, in Omaha, Nebraska. He pursued a legal education and became an attorney in Nebraska, establishing himself in the state’s legal and civic community. He was active in Republican Party politics in the state.

Congressional Career

Baldrige was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives, representing Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. He served one term in the Seventy-second Congress from December 7, 1931, to March 3, 1933. His term coincided with the depths of the Great Depression, and he participated in congressional debates on economic relief, banking reform, and federal spending during this challenging period. He was the father of Howard M. Baldrige Jr., who would later serve as United States Secretary of Commerce under President Ronald Reagan.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving Congress, Baldrige returned to his legal practice and continued to be involved in Nebraska civic affairs. He died on January 19, 1985. His service in Congress during the Great Depression placed him at the center of one of the most consequential periods in American economic history.