[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THOMAS ``TOMMY'' BAKER JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2016

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to honor the life 
of Thomas ``Tommy'' Baker Jr., who passed away on April 15, 2016.
  Tommy was born on October 3, 1956 in Radford, Virginia He graduated 
from Radford College and the Washington and Lee School of Law. He 
served as the town attorney in Dublin, Virginia, and ran his own law 
practice there for many years. Additionally, Tommy served in the 
General Assembly from 1990 to 2000.
  Dublin Mayor Benny Skeens, a friend of Tommy's since both were in 
high school, told the Roanoke Times, ``[Tommy] had probably one of the 
brightest minds, as far as municipal law goes, of anyone I've known. . 
. . He taught me so much.''
  Mayor Skeens also said, ``Anything that's happened in the town of 
Dublin in the past 20 years, Tommy had his hand in it.''
  I went to law school with Tommy, and also served in the Virginia 
House of Delegates with him. Tommy's son Jefferson told the Roanoke 
Times that his father's love of Pulaski County and of public service 
transcended party politics. I would agree.
  Additionally, Tommy was a fun-loving practical joker, and he kept the 
entire House entertained. As Mayor Skeens said, Tommy ``. . . was one 
of those people, when he walked in the room, the atmosphere changed. . 
. . He brightened people up.''
  I am saddened by Tommy's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with 
Tommy's parents, his son Jefferson, and the rest of his family.

                          ____________________