[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       HONORING KENNETH C. BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize and 
honor the accomplishments of a man who has given much to the teaching 
profession, and even to his many students. On June 30, friends, 
colleagues, and family will gather to pay tribute to Mr. Kenneth Baker 
of Flint, Michigan, who is retiring from the Flint Community Schools 
after 34 years of dedicated service to the community.
  As a former school teacher myself, I understand how important it is 
for the minds of our Nation's children to be influenced by positive, 
uplifting role models. I am happy that Kenneth Baker lives up to this 
ideal. A graduate of the University of Toledo, and Eastern Michigan 
University, Kenneth began his long and rewarding career with Flint 
Community Schools in 1965. He served as a science teacher at Bryan 
Community School until 1969, where he then went on to Carpenter 
Community School as its director. He served in this same capacity at 
McKinley Middle School from 1972 to 1990, helping guide the lives of 
thousands of children.
  When the need arose, Kenneth found himself thrust back into the role 
as teacher, as he taught science and social studies at Anderson 
Community School from 1990 to 1995, and then his current teaching 
position, once again at McKinley. No matter which hat he wore, Kenneth 
always proved himself to be an exceptional educator, able to help his 
students acquire and develop skills that would help them to become 
strong, positive members of society.
  In efforts to lead by example, Kenneth has also been involved in the 
community as well. Within the school, he has been a team leader in the 
team curriculum program, and has also been willing to volunteer as a 
referee for sporting events such as volleyball and track and field. He 
has served on the Learning Standard Committee, and has been a 
coordinator of the Buick City and Flint Olympian Road Race.
  Mr. Speaker, there are many adults throughout the entire state of 
Michigan whose lives have been enriched by an early life interactions 
with Kenneth Baker. I am proud to have a person such as him within my 
district. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in 
wishing him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________