[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO HARRY BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Harry 
Baker on the occasion of his retirement from the Madera County Board of 
Supervisors. Harry attended his last board meeting on December 15, 
1998, after 12 years of dedicated service.
  Harry Baker was born in Eastern Madera County over 70 years ago. As a 
veteran of World War II, Harry was a first hand witness to the most 
turbulent time in the history of the twentieth century. Today Harry is 
a life member and Past Post Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 
8753 and a life member of the American Legion. Thanks to the GI Bill, 
Harry was able to go to college and finish his education, he is a 
graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
  Harry has been successful not only in politics, but also in business. 
In addition to serving as President and Chairman of the board of Sierra 
Tel Tronics, he also serves as President and Chairman of the Board of 
Sierra Telephone, Sierra Cellular, Sierra Tel Logic, Sierra Tel 
Internet, Sierra Telephone Long Distance, Sierra Tel Tronics Business 
Center, Sierra Tel Tronics Business Systems, El Dorado Cellular, and ST 
Air Services. Harry has operated Sierra Telephone, one of the area's 
largest employers, for over 48 years. Harry has taken the company 
through remarkable growth, increasing in size from 200 customers and 4 
employees, to 20,000 customers and 230 employees. Harry was a founding 
member of the Western Rural Telephone Association and served as its 
president in 1967, he's been on the Board of Directors for 14 years.
  Despite a busy work schedule, Harry makes time for many worthwhile 
community activities. He's a Life Member of the Madera County 
Historical Society and was appointed to the Madera District Fair Board 
by former Governor George Deukmejian. Harry is a Charter Member of the 
Gateway Yosemite Elks Lodge, and a member of the Sierra Oakhurst Lions 
Club. Harry is also an example to youth, he is a Cub Scout and Boy 
Scout Troop Leader as well as a 4-H Leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Harry Baker, on the 
occasion of his retirement from the Madera County Board of Supervisors. 
Supervisor Baker has been a devoted public servant during his 12 years 
of service. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in wishing Harry 
Baker many years of continued success.

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