A SENATE RESOLUTION to memorialize the life of Thornton H.
Baker.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MR. PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION to memorialize the life of Thornton
H. Baker.
Whereas, at age 82, Thonton H. Baker, a life-long resident
of New Castle, passed away at his daughter's home on January
6, 2002;
Whereas, just a few years after graduating from New
Castle High School in 1937, Mr. Baker became a bombardier
with the 8th USAAF during World War II;
Whereas, in 1943, Mr. Baker was shot down during a
mission and was eventually captured, thereafter spending 23
months as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III;
Whereas, Stalag Luft III was the scene of the famous
"Great Escape" and was the camp from which prisoners were
subjected to a grueling and inhumane forced march to another
camp, just before they would have been liberated by the
approaching Russian Army;
Whereas, Mr. Baker eventually retired from the Air Force
Reserves in 1950 with the rank of Captain and was awarded the
Prisoner of War Medal in 1988;
Whereas, during his last term on the County Council, Mr.
Baker introduced the beverage and food tax which helped
finance the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame
Museum in New Castle;
Whereas, throughout the 106th and 107th General
Assemblies, Mr. Baker served faithfully and effectively as a
Senate Doorkeeper; and
Whereas, on January 6, 2002, the City of New Castle and
the State of Indiana lost a respected citizen, a quintessential
member of the "Greatest Generation," and a valued member of
the community: Therefore,