January 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ice as Co-Chair of the New York State 2100 In addition to her professional work, it was AMBASSADOR FELIX ROHATYN Commission. The innovative strategies he a personal family history that was her true helped develop have been critical in rebuilding passion. In 1897, her great uncle, Frazier B. HON. NANCY PELOSI devastated communities and will ensure the Baker, was named the first Black Postmaster OF CALIFORNIA city is better prepared to meet the challenges in Lake City, South Carolina. Immediately, he IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES posed by the worsening climate crisis. was threatened by the white community who America was blessed by the life and leader- didn’t want him to serve in this important role. Wednesday, January 29, 2020 ship of Ambassador Felix Rohatyn. May it be Postmaster Baker would not be deterred by Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today a comfort to his children, Pierre, Nicolas and their intimidation, and he performed his job to pay tribute to a man of vision and great in- Michael, his many grandchildren and the en- with distinction despite constant torment. On tellect, whose life and legacy were marked by tire Rohatyn family that so many mourn their February 22, 1898, the harassers make good extraordinary achievements and a profound loss and pray for them at this sad time. on their promise to remove him from his post love for America: Ambassador Felix Rohatyn. f by firing upon the Baker family in their home. From ushering New York City through eco- Frazier Baker and his infant daughter were TRIBUTE TO FOSTENIA W. BAKER nomic crisis to proudly serving our nation as killed in the attack, and the other five family Ambassador to France to becoming a leading members barely escaped. voice for building the infrastructure of America HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN Dr. Baker was determined to ensure that in a green way, Ambassador Rohatyn em- OF SOUTH CAROLINA her great uncle’s lynching would not be forgot- bodied the American spirit and helped build a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ten. She spent her life pursuing recognition for brighter future for all Americans. His passing Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Postmaster Baker—writing a book of his life last December is a great official loss for our Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise story and appearing in the documentary An nation and a profound personal loss for all today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Outrage that told the story of lynching in the those privileged to call him a friend, counselor a tenacious and proud South Carolinian, who American South. and loved one. worked tirelessly her entire life to ensure her She also contacted me to ask if Congress Felix Rohatyn was born in Vienna, Austria in family’s story was not forgotten. Earlier this would name the Lake City Post Office in Post- 1928 to a prominent Jewish family. By 1935, month, we lost Dr. Fostenia W. Baker, a life- master Baker’s honor. I decided to champion he and his parents were forced to flee their long educator, family historian, and deter- the effort and introduced legislation in 2018, home to escape the rise of Nazism, embarking mined advocate. She will be sorely missed. that was co-sponsored by all members of the on a years-long journey that eventually Fostenia Baker was a native of Florence, South Carolina delegation. It became law later brought them to safety in the United States in South Carolina, and she graduated from South that year. 1942. His early experience as a refugee in- Carolina State College (now University), which On February 22, 2019, the 121st anniver- stilled in him a love for our bedrock American is also my alma mater. During her time as a sary of Frazier Baker’s murder, Fostenia values of freedom, justice and economic op- student, I got to know Fostenia as my future Baker joined me in Lake City as we officially portunity for all, an appreciation that he hon- wife Emily’s roommate. There was always dedicated the Postmaster Frazier B. Baker ored throughout his life. something different about Fostenia, but I didn’t Post Office. It was one of the proudest days His professional success made him a understand until much later the family history in her life, and I was pleased to be there to sought-after economic expert and intellectual that made her demeanor stand out. share it with her. resource for countless public officials and Fostenia, like many of our classmates, left Without her determination, Postmaster leaders around the world. When New York South Carolina after graduation and earned a Baker’s story may have continued to be lost to City faced an unprecedented insolvency crisis master’s degree from City College of New history. However, Fostenia’s tremendous work in the 1970s, Felix Rohatyn’s collaborative York and a doctorate from George Wash- has ensured that his story will endure. Her leadership skills brought together political and ington University. She began her teaching ca- ‘‘bulldog tenacity’’ is a tribute to how one per- financial interests to make the difficult deci- reer in the New York City Public Schools in son can truly make a difference. sions needed to save the city. In the process, 1970. Five years later, she returned to South Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my col- he made sure that the city invested in all its Carolina to teach health education at Voor- leagues join me in celebrating the life of Dr. citizens, setting aside funding for schools, hees College and later served as a research Fostenia Baker. She is an inspiring example of housing and public transportation to ensure a fellow in the School of Epidemiology at the a life well lived. Her legacy lives on in the stu- financially stable and prosperous future for University of South Carolina. She remained in dents she taught and the lessons she has left millions of Americans. South Carolina, teaching education at Allen for future generations by sharing her family’s Felix Rohatyn brought that same successful University and serving as a science instructor history. leadership, in addition to his fluency in French, in Colleton County Schools in Walterboro, f to representing the United States as Ambas- South Carolina. sador to France. During his ambassadorship, In 1984, Dr. Baker was appointed instructor RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF MR. he worked to strengthen the economic and of education for the District of Columbia De- BUSTER DAVIS cultural bonds between our nations, reaffirm- partment of Corrections in Washington, D.C. ing an unbreakable friendship and partnership She went on to become an assistant professor HON. TRENT KELLY that dates back to the founding of our country. of health education at Trinity College and later OF MISSISSIPPI It was always a privilege to have Ambas- Howard University, both in Washington, D.C. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sador Rohatyn meet with Members of Con- Her final position from 1997 to 2005 was as Wednesday, January 29, 2020 gress to discuss the most pressing issues fac- instructor of science and health education in ing our economy and our nation. His pas- the Prince Georges County Public Schools in Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, sionate advocacy for robust, climate change— Hyattsville, Maryland. I rise today to celebrate the life of Buster resilient infrastructure made him a thoughtful Dr. Baker won numerous teaching awards Davis, who passed away on Thursday, Janu- advisor and effective Co-Chair of the bipar- including an Excellence Award as Health Edu- ary 9th at the age of 93. tisan Commission on Public Infrastructure, cation Chairperson for Prince Georges County Buster was born on October 25, 1926, in helping Congress establish a framework to re- Public Schools and the Innovative Professor Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He was a build our nation and boost our economy in a Award at Howard University. She also pub- basketball legend at Belmont High School in sustainable, job-creating way. lished numerous articles in scientific journals Belmont, Mississippi, where he led the team to After Superstorm Sandy in 2012, his for- and a book entitled Women’s Health, What Do win two State Championships. After High ward-looking vision was essential to his serv- You Know About It. School, Buster obtained a Bachelor of Science ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:00 Jan 30, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JA8.001 E29JAPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 29, 2020 from Mississippi State University, then re- trailblazing work in infrared light. The massive Dr. Champommier’s career demonstrates ceived his Masters from the University of Mis- amount of data collected by Spitzer has been his admirable dedication and service to his sissippi before answering the call to serve our used in over 8,700 scientific publications and community. I thank him for his 40 years of great nation in the United States Army during its data will continue to be available to the sci- contributions to Los Angeles and wish him WWII. entific community around the world for future nothing but the best in retirement. On August 22, 1948, Buster married Billie research. f Faye South, and they remained together for I have great appreciation and pride for the over 63 years.