[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO FOSTENIA W. BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2020

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and legacy of a tenacious and proud South Carolinian, who worked 
tirelessly her entire life to ensure her family's story was not 
forgotten. Earlier this month, we lost Dr. Fostenia W. Baker, a 
lifelong educator, family historian, and determined advocate. She will 
be sorely missed.
  Fostenia Baker was a native of Florence, South Carolina, and she 
graduated from South Carolina State College (now University), which is 
also my alma mater. During her time as a student, I got to know 
Fostenia as my future wife Emily's roommate. There was always something 
different about Fostenia, but I didn't understand until much later the 
family history that made her demeanor stand out.
  Fostenia, like many of our classmates, left South Carolina after 
graduation and earned a master's degree from City College of New York 
and a doctorate from George Washington University. She began her 
teaching career in the New York City Public Schools in 1970. Five years 
later, she returned to South Carolina to teach health education at 
Voorhees College and later served as a research fellow in the School of 
Epidemiology at the University of South Carolina. She remained in South 
Carolina, teaching education at Allen University and serving as a 
science instructor in Colleton County Schools in Walterboro, South 
Carolina.
  In 1984, Dr. Baker was appointed instructor of education for the 
District of Columbia Department of Corrections in Washington, D.C. She 
went on to become an assistant professor of health education at Trinity 
College and later Howard University, both in Washington, D.C. Her final 
position from 1997 to 2005 was as instructor of science and health 
education in the Prince Georges County Public Schools in Hyattsville, 
Maryland.
  Dr. Baker won numerous teaching awards including an Excellence Award 
as Health Education Chairperson for Prince Georges County Public 
Schools and the Innovative Professor Award at Howard University. She 
also published numerous articles in scientific journals and a book 
entitled Women's Health, What Do You Know About It.
  In addition to her professional work, it was a personal family 
history that was her true passion. In 1897, her great uncle, Frazier B. 
Baker, was named the first Black Postmaster in Lake City, South 
Carolina. Immediately, he was threatened by the white community who 
didn't want him to serve in this important role. Postmaster Baker would 
not be deterred by their intimidation, and he performed his job with 
distinction despite constant torment. On February 22, 1898, the 
harassers make good on their promise to remove him from his post by 
firing upon the Baker family in their home. Frazier Baker and his 
infant daughter were killed in the attack, and the other five family 
members barely escaped.
  Dr. Baker was determined to ensure that her great uncle's lynching 
would not be forgotten. She spent her life pursuing recognition for 
Postmaster Baker--writing a book of his life story and appearing in the 
documentary An Outrage that told the story of lynching in the American 
South.
  She also contacted me to ask if Congress would name the Lake City 
Post Office in Postmaster Baker's honor. I decided to champion the 
effort and introduced legislation in 2018, that was co-sponsored by all 
members of the South Carolina delegation. It became law later that 
year.
  On February 22, 2019, the 121st anniversary of Frazier Baker's 
murder, Fostenia Baker joined me in Lake City as we officially 
dedicated the Postmaster Frazier B. Baker Post Office. It was one of 
the proudest days in her life, and I was pleased to be there to share 
it with her.
  Without her determination, Postmaster Baker's story may have 
continued to be lost to history. However, Fostenia's tremendous work 
has ensured that his story will endure. Her ``bulldog tenacity'' is a 
tribute to how one person can truly make a difference.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
celebrating the life of Dr. Fostenia Baker. She is an inspiring example 
of a life well lived. Her legacy lives on in the students she taught 
and the lessons she has left for future generations by sharing her 
family's history.

                          ____________________