[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 65 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO BOB BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 2003

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to pay tribute 
to a national leader in civil aviation. Robert J. Baker, an executive 
with American Airlines and its parent, AMR Corp., for some 35 years, 
died April 20, at the much-too-young age of 58.
  In his three-and-a-half decades of service with American, Bob Baker 
rose from marketing trainee to Vice Chairman. He joined the airline in 
1968. By 1985, he was running its operations. He was named Vice 
Chairman of AMR in 1998, and held that title until he retired last 
year.
  Bob Baker served his country by sitting on several national 
commissions and advisory panels. President Clinton appointed Mr. Baker 
to a special commission on aviation management. Bob Baker also chaired 
a Federal panel on the concept of ``free flight'' as a remedy to airway 
congestion. In the dark hours following the terrorist attacks of 
September 11, 2001, President Bush tapped Bob Baker for the ``rapid 
response team to analyze and revamp the nation's airline security.''
  When American Airlines bought TWA, Bob was named chairman of TWA and 
operated that airline until it could be integrated with American, 
forming the world's largest airline.
  Bob Crandall, long-time chairman of AMR, noted that Bob Baker was 
born into the American Airlines family. His father was a station 
manager and headquarters executive at the airline.
  ``Bob was the kind of guy who came to work early, stayed late and 
understood the old saying that 99 percent of genius is perspiration,'' 
Crandall told the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram.
  Crandall's successor, Donald Carty, worked closely with Baker since 
the late 1980's. Carty said, ``We have lost a true aviation pioneer. 
Bob helped shape our company, and, in fact, our entire industry.''
  Mr. Speaker, aviation has lost a premier professional; an objective, 
seasoned, thoughtful voice of reason and balance in this contentious 
market sector; and an uncompromising, persistent advocate for safety. 
Bob was both a friend and counselor, I shall miss him greatly, as will 
all of aviation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to 
his wife, Marty, his four children and six grandchildren.

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