[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 99 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E766-E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN J. BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the 
unsung heroes of public service in Oregon. Mr. John J. Baker has ably 
served the people of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Transportation 
for over thirty years. A transportation economist with a deep 
background in the Federal-aid Highway Program and its formulas, Mr. 
Baker's work has benefitted major transportation projects and 
communities across the entire state of Oregon.
  Mr. Baker's creative work with federal funding formulas helped 
support many legislative decisions that resulted in millions in 
additional federal funding for Oregon. Similarly, his intimate 
knowledge of federal transportation grants and the federal grant making 
process has helped bring untold millions in grant funding to the state 
and to local governments in Oregon.
  I relied on his expertise on a number of occasions to ensure that 
Oregon, with more than

[[Page E767]]

half of its land owned by the federal government, receives a fair share 
of the Federal Lands Access Program (known as FLAP) so we can continue 
to enjoy access to our amazing natural wonders. In 2012, the Obama 
Administration proposed replacing the existing Forest Highways Program 
with the new FLAP. My office turned to Mr. Baker to provide the 
analysis needed to ensure that the new program worked as intended, to 
ensure that Oregon and western states with huge tracts of federal lands 
would not be disadvantaged, and helped me safeguard program funding for 
States with the greatest needs.
  This summer, Oregon's first Transportation Asset Management Plan will 
be finalized thanks to Mr. Baker's steady guiding influence. With his 
deep professional connection to federal transportation policy and 
funding, it is only fitting that Mr. Baker be recognized here on the 
floor of the United States House of Representatives for his remarkable 
career.
  The Oregon Department of Transportation will suffer an irreplaceable 
departure this month when Mr. Baker retires. Madam Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me and all Oregonians in thanking John Baker for his 
long and dedicated service to the people of Oregon. My home state is an 
immeasurably better place because of Mr. Baker's contributions. Simply 
put, Oregon would not be Oregon without people like John Baker.

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