HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 108 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Celebrating the life of John Edward Baker. ---------- Patrons—Toscano, Bell, and Landes ----------

WHEREAS, John Edward Baker, admired and respected citizen and first black member and chairman of the Albemarle County School Board, died on December 7, 2005; and

WHEREAS, John Baker was born on August 15, 1932, grew up in Buffalo, New York, served his country in the United States Army Foreign Science and Technology Center as an artillery analyst and principle briefer and commanded the Center’s Far East office in Tokyo, Japan; and

WHEREAS, John Baker moved to Charlottesville in 1971, retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1983 after 22 years of service in the United States Army, and became involved in local government as a member of the Albemarle County School Board until 1987; and

WHEREAS, after his first wife died, John Baker moved back to Buffalo, New York, where he served as vice president of Erie County Community College until in 1991, he married his childhood sweetheart and they returned to Virginia; and

WHEREAS, John Baker moved back to Albemarle County to serve as the Virginia Deputy Director of Human Resources; and

WHEREAS, in 1995 John Baker ran against four other candidates to win an at-large seat on the Albemarle County School Board serving two terms, the last two years as board chairman; and

WHEREAS, John Baker gave his time and immense talents to numerous civic organizations as a member of the boards of Computer4Kids, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Red Cross, the Madison House of the University of Virginia, the Charlottesville/Albemarle Youth Orchestra, the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, the Virginia Standards of Learning Test Advisory Committee and the Charlottesville/Albemarle Community Foundation Advisory Committee; as founder of the Vinegar Hill Toastmasters Club; and as a valuable supporter of the African American Teaching Fellows Program; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 the Baker-Butler Elementary School was named in honor of John Baker for his numerous achievements and outstanding service to the children of Albemarle County; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life of public service, John Baker vigorously pursued policies that benefited Albemarle County and that enhanced the quality of life of all of its residents; and

WHEREAS, John Baker served his community with dignity and ardent devotion and will be missed and fondly remembered by his family, his numerous friends and admirers, and the congregation of Sojourners United Church of Christ; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with sadness the passing of an outstanding public servant and fine Virginian, John Edward Baker; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Edward Baker as an expression of the respect in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.