[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JONATHAN BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Jonathan Baker, my 
constituent from Redondo Beach, who has been selected as a finalist for 
the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies). The 
Sammies are presented annually by the nonprofit, nonpartisan 
Partnership for Public Service to honor outstanding federal employees 
who have made significant contributions to our nation.
  Jonathan is the Delta IV Launch Systems Deputy Chief Engineer at the 
United States Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. At his young 
age of 35, Jonathan has been entrusted with overseeing the extremely 
delicate and expensive process of launching Air Force rockets carrying 
satellites into orbit. Since 2010, 13 satellites, which are worth more 
than $7 billion and provide important wireless communication, national 
reconnaissance, infrared missile warning, and precision timing and 
navigation capabilities, have been launched under Jonathan's 
supervision.
  Jonathan's position requires not only a high degree of skill and 
knowledge in the technical aspects of launches, including making sure 
rockets are correctly built and assembled, but also the ability to lead 
public and private-sector engineers and foster team cohesion that 
eliminates any chance of error. Jonathan is well-respected for his 
leadership. He has set standards for his team by establishing a 
training and certification program that Air Force engineers must take 
before performing duties on launch day. In this line of work, there is 
no room for error and Jonathan has an outstanding record.
  One particularly notable accomplishment is Jonathan's success in 
reducing the cost of a contract for 40 new rockets from $14 billion to 
under $10 billion. His technical expertise and incredible attention to 
detail has saved taxpayers over $4 billion.
  I would like to congratulate Jonathan Baker on his selection as a 
finalist for the 2014 Sammies. It is an honor to represent him in 
Congress. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating his inspiring 
career and in wishing him all the best for the future.

                          ____________________