[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1201-E1202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LAUREN BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lauren Baker who 
has served as a mentor, teacher, labor leader, college instructor, 
consultant, and administrator. Lauren is retiring from her current 
position as Executive Director of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education 
Association (MTEA) comprised of educators, educational assistants', 
substitutes and bookkeepers who work on behalf of the students 
attending Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). She officially retired on 
August 31, 2017.
  Lauren has enjoyed a distinguished career. She spent over 25 years in 
the printing industry working as a journeyperson lithographer and then 
served as Education Director for the Graphic Communications 
International Union Local 577M (now GCC/IBT and Director of the 
Milwaukee Graphic Arts Institute (MGAI). Lauren taught at MGAI and 
Milwaukee Area Technical College. Highlights of her work during this 
period of her career include: leading the successful part-time teachers 
organizing campaign at MATC, founding the GCIU Women's Caucus and 
developing and implementing sexual harassment training for union 
members and employers. For 10 years, Lauren served as the Coordinator 
Career and Technical Education (CTE) for MPS. She led the district wide 
efforts in trade technical and other career educational disciplines. 
Further, she revitalized the career programming, advocated for 
publically funded career education at the state and federal level and 
also coordinated the work for teachers in schools for the CTE programs.
  Lauren has served on numerous boards; she has served on the MATC 
Board for 19 years. She co-chairs the statewide District Boards 
Association's Legislation Committee and represented the Midwest Region 
on the National Board of Directors for the Association of Community 
College Trustees. Further, Lauren served on the National Council for 
Skills Standards in Graphic Communications, the State Superintendent's 
Council of Technical and Engineering Education and Milwaukee County 
Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships and other committees in relation 
to workforce preparation and education.

[[Page E1202]]

  Lauren Baker has been recognized for her work including Graduate of 
the Last Decade (GOLD) award for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 
(UWM) where she earned a Master of Science Degree in Administrative 
Leadership and Educational Supervision. She was honored by Business 
Journal as a Woman of Influence. In 2010, Lauren was invited to the 
White House as a part of a small group advising the Obama 
Administration on equity in technical education for the National 
Educate to Innovate Initiative.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Lauren, her husband John Drew, a UAW 
labor leader and adult son, Nick, my friends. She has left a legacy of 
advocacy and compassion and is a true trailblazer. The citizens of the 
Fourth Congressional District, the State of Wisconsin and the nation 
have benefited tremendously from her dedicated service. I am honored 
for these reasons to pay tribute to Lauren Baker, and wish her the best 
as she transitions into a new phase of her life.

                          ____________________