[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAMES BAIRD

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 60th birthday 
of James Baird, who is a hard-working businessman, ecclesiastical 
leader, and friend.
  James was born in Las Vegas, NV, and raised in Provo, UT. His father, 
Joseph Hugh Baird, worked at Brigham Young University, and his mother, 
Florence Richards, was a piano teacher. As a child, James enjoyed 
spending time with his nine siblings and nurturing his horse, Julie.
  James grew up with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He began his 
career in grade school by mowing lawns and eventually starting his own 
landscaping company. He graduated from the University of Colorado with 
a business degree and went on to own and operate multiple start-up 
companies, each of which made a positive impact on their local 
communities. James currently serves as the director of operations for 
Madison Fields, a farm and riding facility for children and adults with 
autism, where he is regarded as a patient and caring colleague.
  In addition to being a successful businessman, James is also devoted 
to his wife of 38 years, Dr. Melinda Lambert Baird. Dr. Baird is a 
phenomenal concert pianist and serves as the director of piano programs 
at Levine Music and the director of education and community outreach at 
Steinway & Sons. James and Melinda have four children and eleven 
grandchildren, whom they love dearly.
  James's family values come from his membership in the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints--LDS. At a young age, James served a 
mission for the LDS church in Baton Rouge, LA. During that time, 
James's brother, Mark, was killed in a jeep accident. James decided to 
remain in Louisiana and continued to serve the people there. Since 
then, James has remained an involved member of his church and served as 
a bishop in Rockville, MD. Currently, James is acting as the president 
of the Washington, DC, Stake. In this position, President Baird lends 
his service to more than 2,000 church members in the Washington DC, and 
southern Maryland areas without pay or reimbursement. James's arms are 
open for anyone in need, and he is devoted to improving the lives of 
people in Washington, DC. I have had the pleasure of knowing James as 
one of my church leaders and friends, and I admire and appreciate his 
service.
  James is a man who has inspired countless lives in his local, work, 
and religious communities. I congratulate him on his many successes, 
and I wish him the best as he continues to serve the people of 
Washington, DC.

                          ____________________