To promote its bid to become the U.S. candidate for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Houston has organized a 140-member Ambassadors Committee.
Among the group headed by former U.S. Secretary of State James A Baker, are Nobel Prize winners, Olympic gold-medallists, former ambassadors, business executives, entertainers and physicians.
Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown said at a press conference announcing the committee, “Houston’s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games has had diverse support throughout or community. Some might be surprised to see a committee that includes Beyonce Knowles, Secretary James Baker and Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, but that is the kind of city we are – diverse people united behind this goal”.
Secretary Baker said, “people of influence around the work know Texas and Houston through our legacy of leadership, from the space program to the current occupant of the White House. Our people and our achievements make us a first-tier international city”.
Also included in the committee is former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, Chancellor Emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine, and former Texas Governor Ann Richards.
Susan Bandy, President of Houston 2012 Foundation said, “we have the best bid because we have always leveraged the best of Houston’s resources. This includes our most important asset, our people. Our connections around the world are what have made our city the international space, energy, medical, shipping and business leader…and they will give us the edge in the competition”.
The list of Ambassadors was sent to the USOC as an addendum to the city’s bid document.
