Introduced Version





SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


    A SENATE RESOLUTION to memorialize the life of Thornton H. Baker.



GARD




     , read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

Second Regular Session 112th General Assembly (2002)


SENATE RESOLUTION


     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, after his return to the United States, Mr. Baker resettled in New Castle, where he was a retail salesman for 45 years and became an active member of the community, serving 16 years on the Henry County Council and 63 years as a member of the First Presbyterian Church;

    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,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:


    SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate, on behalf of the people of the State of Indiana, does hereby honor and memorialize the life of Thornton H. Baker.
    SECTION 2. That the Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Mr. Baker's three daughters, Jane Jean, Sue Baker and Barbara Buttersworth.