Brian Baird
| Brian Baird | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 3rd district | |
| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Smith |
| Succeeded by | Jaime Herrera Beutler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1956 Chama, New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Rachel Nugent |
| Residence | Edmonds, Washington |
| Alma mater | University of Utah, University of Wyoming |
| Occupation | Psychologist, College Professor |
| Religion | Non-denominational Protestant |
Brian Norton Baird (born March 7, 1956) is president of Antioch University Seattle and an American politician who was the United States Representative for Washington's 3rd congressional district from 1999 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district comprised the counties of Thurston, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, and Skamania.
Early life, education and career
Baird was born in Chama, New Mexico to Edith S. and William N. (“Bill”) Baird, a town councilman and mayor.[1] Dr. Baird received his B.S. from the University of Utah, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1977. He continued on to the University of Wyoming, receiving his M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology.[2] Dr. Baird is the former chairman of the Department of Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and a licensed clinical psychologist. He has published a number of journal articles and has authored three books.
Dr. Brian Baird was named President of Antioch University Seattle on May 21, 2013 and took office on July 1, 2013.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
- Committee on Science and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chairman)
- Subcommittee on Research and Science Education
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus (co-founder)
- Congressional Caucus to Control and Fight Methamphetamine (co-founder)
- Congressional National Parks Caucus (co-founder)
- Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus
- Community College Caucus
- Community Health Centers Caucus
- Congressional Boating Caucus
- Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
- Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention
- Congressional China Caucus
- Congressional Coast Guard Caucus
- Congressional Coastal Caucus
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- Congressional Fire Service Caucus
- Congressional Fitness Caucus
- Congressional Mental Health Caucus
- Congressional Native American Caucus
- Congressional Port Security Caucus
- Congressional Rural Caucus
- Congressional Ski and Snowboard Caucus
- Democratic Caucus
- Friends of New Zealand Caucus
- Hellenic Caucus
- House Education Caucus
- House Science, Technology, Engineernig and Math Education Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Medical Malpractice Caucus
- New Democrat Caucus
- Northwest Energy Caucus
- Prochoice Caucus Democratic Task Force
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
- U.S. China Working Group
- Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus
- Mountain West Caucus
- Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus
He had previously been a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the House Science Committee, the House Budget Committee, and the House Select Committee on Continuity in Government.
He served as a senior regional whip and on the Democratic Steering Committee. He was elected president of the 1998 Democratic Freshman Class.
Baird was a member of the New Democrat Coalition.
During his time in Congress, he flew home nearly every weekend and hosted more than 300 town hall meetings.[3] He visited every high school, port, hospital and countless businesses and organizations in Southwest Washington.[2]
Baird held over 300 town halls, or one for approximately every week and a half he was in office. Although they usually had around 50 participants, when held during passionate debates, they had up to 3000.
Visit to Gaza Strip
On February 19, 2009, Congressman Brian Baird, together with fellow congressman Keith Ellison, (D-MN-05), visited Gaza to view firsthand the destruction from the Gaza War, and to meet with international and local relief agencies. Others in the visit included Senator John Kerry (D-MA). This visit, which did not have the official sanction of the Obama Administration, is the first time anyone from the U.S. government entered Gaza in more than three years.[4] The Congressman had this to say about Gaza:
| “ | “The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering”. He continued, “Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words.” | ” |
After Baird's third visit to Gaza in February 2010, he called on the U.S. to end the blockade and to deliver humanitarian supplies, which could include withholding military aid from Israel.[5] he said that the U.S. needed to be more serious about getting Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Political campaigns
Baird challenged Republican incumbent Linda Smith in 1996 and lost by only 887 votes. Smith gave up the seat to make an unsuccessful bid for the United States Senate in 1998. Baird jumped into the race and defeated State Senator Don Benton with 54.7 percent of the vote. He never faced another race even that close, and was re-elected five times.
On December 9, 2009, Baird announced he would not run for re-election in 2010.[6]
Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Brian Baird | 122,230 | 50% | Linda Smith | 123,117 | 50% | ||||||||
| 1998 | Brian Baird | 120,364 | 55% | Don Benton | 99,855 | 45% | ||||||||
| 2000 | Brian Baird | 159,428 | 56% | Trent R. Matson | 114,861 | 41% | Erne Lewis | Libertarian | 8,375 | 3% | ||||
| 2002 | Brian Baird | 119,264 | 62% | Joseph Zarelli | 74,065 | 38% | ||||||||
| 2004 | Brian Baird | 193,626 | 62% | Thomas A. Crowson | 119,027 | 38% | ||||||||
| 2006 | Brian Baird | 147,065 | 63% | Michael Messmore | 85,915 | 37% | ||||||||
| 2008 | Brian Baird | 216,701 | 64% | Michael Delavar | 121,828 | 36% |
The stock act
Brian Baird introduced the STOCK Act which would prohibit members of Congress, their employees, and Executive Branch staff members from profiting from nonpublic information they obtain through their positions. They would be prohibited from buying or selling securities, swaps, or commodity futures based on nonpublic information they obtain through their jobs; prohibited from sharing non-public information about legislative action for purposes of investing or profiting from investment; and required to report investment transactions valued in excess of $1,000.
“It is not explicitly stated in Congress’ ethics code,” said Baird. “And we exempted ourselves from reporting requirements that apply to hedge fund managers and corporate CEOs. They have to report within 48 hours if they make a significant trade. We have to report once a year, retroactively. In fact if you make a trade in January, it doesn’t have to be reported until the following May.”
Baird changed his bill to allow for reporting to be delayed for 90 days. "Really, it should be 48 hours," he said.[8]
Books
- Baird, Brian N.; illustrations by David Horsey (1995). Are We Having Fun Yet?: Enjoying the Outdoors With Partners, Families, and Groups. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. ISBN 978-0-89886-449-6.
- Baird, Brian N. (1996). The Internship, Practicum, and Field Placement Handbook: A Guide for the Helping Professions (fourth edition, 2004 ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-118116-8.
- Baird, Brian N. (2010). Character Politics and Responsibility. Lightning Source UK Ltd. ISBN 978-0-578-06642-4.
References
- ↑ 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Congressman Brian Baird :: Washington's 3rd Congressional District :: Biography Section
- ↑ http://www.house.gov/baird/cs/faq.shtm
- ↑ Brian Views Destruction in Gaza – Calls for Immediate Relief and Change in Policy
- ↑ “”. "US Congressman wants Gaza blockade gone". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ↑ Durbin, Kathie. "Baird won’t seek re-election", The Columbian, Vancouver WA, published December 9, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- ↑
External links
- Antioch University Seattle
- Brian Baird for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Linda Smith |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 3rd congressional district 1999–2011 |
Succeeded by Jaime Herrera Beutler |
|