Floor SpeechCeremonial2024-12-20

RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER

TaxesEnvironmentTradeVeteransInfrastructure

Context

On 2024-12-20, Representative Sam Graves (R-MO-6) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy. It referenced legislation: S85.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1321-E1322] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER ______ HON. SAM GRAVES of missouri in the house of representatives Friday, December 20, 2024 Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Mark R. Baker, who is retiring after more than a decade of distinguished service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. [[Page E1322]] Mark's leadership in support of the general aviation community has been invaluable to hundreds of thousands of pilots and aircraft owners and the endeavors they support through flight. His unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the freedom to fly--a freedom truly unique to the United States--has helped facilitate the wide range of general aviation flight missions, including business, disaster relief, philanthropy, and personal transportation. Mark has been the most impactful leader in AOPA's 85-year history, serving as a tireless and effective advocate for general aviation. He has consistently provided legislators and regulators with valuable insights on important issues such as medical certification reform, strengthening our national network of airports, aviation and education career opportunities for youth, advancing flight deck technology, ensuring fair and transparent pricing for pilots, and improving aviation safety. Among the important legislation he has helped shape is the very first general aviation title in an FAA reauthorization bill, setting an important precedent for the future. Mark's passion for aviation began as a child growing up in Minnesota, when he and his younger brothers, Scott and Jim, rode their bicycles to the local airport to watch airplanes and take penny-a-pound airplane rides. He took a ground school class in high school and earned his private pilot certificate soon after. Flight instructor Waldo Anderson, who is now 90 years old and still flying, mentored and inspired Mark as he worked to earn additional pilot certificates and ratings. As a teenager just starting college, Mark found additional mentors in his employers, Knox Lumber founders Don DeCoster, Larry Platt, and Mel Maurer. The World War II veterans quickly recognized Mark's strong work ethic, which he learned from parents Ralph and Bev. Taking him under their wing, the trio soon taught Mark the ins and outs of retail lumber, laying the groundwork for his future business success in the home improvement industry. After leaving Knox, Mark held leadership roles with Payless Cashways, Scotty's, and Home Base before joining Home Depot in that company's formative years. While at Home Depot, Mark held numerous executive positions, including Chief Operating Officer, and continued to build deep and lasting relationships throughout the home improvement vendor and real estate communities, helping to drive large-scale growth for his company and the industry. He even used his flying skills, and both personal and business aircraft, to help identify locations for hundreds of new stores nationwide. Mark has held numerous other influential positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, President and Chief Executive Officer at outdoor outfitter Gander Mountain, and Chief Executive Officer at Orchard Supply Hardware. Recognizing the important role of mentors in his own life, Mark has generously mentored hundreds of pilots, providing access to aircraft, instructors, and opportunities to fly, as well as sharing the wisdom he has gained in more than 10,000 hours at the controls. In that same spirit, he launched the You Can Fly program at AOPA, which has so far provided free aviation STEM curriculum to more than 100,000 high school students nationwide. Mark's commitment to creating opportunities for young people is matched only by his commitment to his family, including his wife JoAnn; his four children, Lindsay, Kristine, Shannon, and Andrew; his sons-in- law Pete and Alex; and his eight grandchildren. As Mark prepares to retire from AOPA, I wish him well in all his endeavors and thank him for his service to the aviation community and the Nation. I am confident he will continue to mentor the next generation of aviators as a passionate and influential advocate for GA. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1321-E1322] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING MARK R. BAKER ______ HON. SAM GRAVES of missouri in the house of representatives Friday, December 20, 2024 Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Mark R. Baker, who is retiring after more than a decade of distinguished service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. [[Page E1322]] Mark's leadership in support of the general aviation community has been invaluable to hundreds of thousands of pilots and aircraft owners and the endeavors they support through flight. His unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the freedom to fly--a freedom truly unique to the United States--has helped facilitate the wide range of general aviation flight missions, including business, disaster relief, philanthropy, and personal transportation. Mark has been the most impactful leader in AOPA's 85-year history, serving as a tireless and effective advocate for general aviation. He has consistently provided legislators and regulators with valuable insights on important issues such as medical certification reform, strengthening our national network of airports, aviation and education career opportunities for youth, advancing flight deck technology, ensuring fair and transparent pricing for pilots, and improving aviation safety. Among the important legislation he has helped shape is the very first general aviation title in an FAA reauthorization bill, setting an important precedent for the future. Mark's passion for aviation began as a child growing up in Minnesota, when he and his younger brothers, Scott and Jim, rode their bicycles to the local airport to watch airplanes and take penny-a-pound airplane rides. He took a ground school class in high school and earned his private pilot certificate soon after. Flight instructor Waldo Anderson, who is now 90 years old and still flying, mentored and inspired Mark as he worked to earn additional pilot certificates and ratings. As a teenager just starting college, Mark found additional mentors in his employers, Knox Lumber founders Don DeCoster, Larry Platt, and Mel Maurer. The World War II veterans quickly recognized Mark's strong work ethic, which he learned from parents Ralph and Bev. Taking him under their wing, the trio soon taught Mark the ins and outs of retail lumber, laying the groundwork for his future business success in the home improvement industry. After leaving Knox, Mark held leadership roles with Payless Cashways, Scotty's, and Home Base before joining Home Depot in that company's formative years. While at Home Depot, Mark held numerous executive positions, including Chief Operating Officer, and continued to build deep and lasting relationships throughout the home improvement vendor and real estate communities, helping to drive large-scale growth for his company and the industry. He even used his flying skills, and both personal and business aircraft, to help identify locations for hundreds of new stores nationwide. Mark has held numerous other influential positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, President and Chief Executive Officer at outdoor outfitter Gander Mountain, and Chief Executive Officer at Orchard Supply Hardware. Recognizing the important role of mentors in his own life, Mark has generously mentored hundreds of pilots, providing access to aircraft, instructors, and opportunities to fly, as well as sharing the wisdom he has gained in more than 10,000 hours at the controls. In that same spirit, he launched the You Can Fly program at AOPA, which has so far provided free aviation STEM curriculum to more than 100,000 high school students nationwide. Mark's commitment to creating opportunities for young people is matched only by his commitment to his family, including his wife JoAnn; his four children, Lindsay, Kristine, Shannon, and Andrew; his sons-in- law Pete and Alex; and his eight grandchildren. As Mark prepares to retire from AOPA, I wish him well in all his endeavors and thank him for his service to the aviation community and the Nation. I am confident he will continue to mentor the next generation of aviators as a passionate and influential advocate for GA. ____________________