The papers of Howard and Irene Baker, who both served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee’s Second District, were donated to the University of Tennessee on March 1, 1973, by Irene Baker. The Baker collection is made up of legislative files, correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, clippings, speeches, bills, and myriad associated items. Of special importance in the collection are Howard Baker, Sr.’s works concerning the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Atomic Energy Commission, since both greatly affected the livelihood of the people of the Second District. Also of note is his work on the tax structure of the United States, stemming from his position on the House Ways and Means Committee. The collection is divided into two parts. Boxes 1-22 deal with Howard Baker, Sr.’s work, and boxes 22-30 with Irene Baker’s work. However, some of Howard Baker, Sr.’s work carries over into Irene Baker’s, so the entire collection should be examined in researching a particular subject or topic.