[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF COL. TANYA S. BAKER FROM THE UNITED 
                              STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Tanya S. 
Baker of Woodbridge, VA on the occasion of her retirement from the 
United States Army. Throughout her 30 year career, Col. Baker has 
selflessly served our country and community; namely, during the time 
she spent as North American Aerospace Command and United States 
Northern Command (NORAD and USNORTHCOM) Coordination Officer to the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), at the Pentagon. NORAD 
USNORTHCOM is a tremendous institution and its Washington Office is 
charged with building trusted relationships with mission essential 
partners, such as DHHS. NORAD USNORTHCOM provides command and control 
of Department of Defense (DOD) homeland defense efforts and coordinates 
Defense Support of Civil Authorities. In performing both of these 
critical missions, USNORTHCOM defends America's homeland and protects 
our people, national power, and strategic freedom of action.
   Col. Baker was commissioned via Georgetown ROTC in May of 1986, 
after matriculating from George Mason University. She received her 
commission as a Medical Service Corps Lieutenant and served in many 
notable assignments of increasing responsibility, including Federal 
Coordinating Center Coordinator at Tripler Army Medical Center, in 
Honolulu, Hawaii and Battalion Commander for the Army Reserve Careers 
Division, 13th Battalion, in Aurora, CO. Such roles have enabled Col. 
Baker to positively and significantly influence her colleagues, fellow 
Soldiers, as well as the future strategic leaders of our military.
   Col. Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from George Mason 
University and Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. 
Col. Baker also completed a second Senior Service College--the Air War 
College. In addition to her academic success, Col. Baker has received 
an extensive number of awards and decorations. These include the 
Defense Superior Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with 
three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf 
Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 
three Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Superior Unit 
Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation Award and Army Staff 
Identification Badge. Such accolades are indicative of the high caliber 
of her unfailing and dedicated service to our nation.
   On June 6th, 2014, Col. Baker assumed duties as the NORAD and 
USNORTHCOM Coordination Officer to the Department of Health and Human 
Services, at the Pentagon. As a Coordination Officer, Col. Baker has 
directly and significantly contributed to NORAD and USNORTHCOM's 
mission success in response to the Unaccompanied Children Humanitarian 
Crisis and the international and domestic responses to the Ebola Virus 
Disease outbreak. The trusted partnerships that Col. Baker meticulously 
built among diverse stakeholders will remain as her key national-level 
contribution and legacy. Even though she will no longer be present at 
NORAD and USNORTHCOM on a day-to-day basis, her legacy will inevitably 
carry on.
   Col. Baker is supported in her retirement by her parents: Thermus R. 
Baker, Sr. and Ruth B. Baker; her brothers: Thermus R. Baker, Jr., 
Everett S. Baker, Gary B Baker, and Reginald M. Baker; her sister 
Monica R. Frazier; and her faithful companion and dog Zoe Simone.
   Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to congratulate Col. Baker on the 
culmination of a distinguished 30 year career in the United States 
Army. I wish her all the best in this next chapter of her life.

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