2008 Photo Gallery

January | February | March | April | May

Please click on photos to enlarge.

July 16, 2008 – Senator Baker had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the ceremony celebrating the opening of Buck Bridge in Starrucca Borough, Wayne County. From left in the front row are Robert Buck and Tony Palanois, who serve as Borough Councilmen; County Commissioners Tony Herzog and Wendell Kay; Representative Sandy Major; Senator Baker; Commissioner Brian Smith, and County Treasurer Brian Field. From left in the back row are Chris Goetz and Scott Macizak of PennDOT; and Council President Kirk Rhone.

June 30, 2008 – Maggie Dewane, an intern in Senator Baker’s Harrisburg office, took a break from her work to visit the Senate Chamber. In the fall, Maggie will be a junior at Seton Hall University where she is pursuing a degree in diplomacy and international relations. Maggie is involved in many activities, both on and off campus, including serving as Assistant Managing Editor for the University’s newspaper and Public Relations Chair for the Association of Middle Eastern Cultures.

June 26, 2008 - Senator Baker received the 2008 ATHENA Award from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. The award, which was first established in 1980, honors local professional women who have given their time to help other women reach success and have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the community. Pictured from left during the award presentation are Jill Fortinsky Schwartz, former ATHENA recipient; Gerry O’Donnell of MotorWorld Automotive Group (ATHENA sponsor); Senator Baker; and Anna Cervenak, former ATHENA recipient.

June 24, 2008 – Participants in the American Legion’s Keystone Boys State program met Senator Baker at her desk on the Senate floor during their visit to the capitol. Those selected for the series receive hands-on government experience as well as leadership training. Pictured above with Senator Baker from left are Steven Decker, Matt Newman, Brook Dirlam, and Eric Langberg.

June 18, 2008 - Christine Zavaskas, an intern in the district office of Senator Baker, spent a day in Harrisburg learning more about state government. Christine attended a committee meeting and Senate session before receiving a tour of the capitol. Currently a senior at Wilkes University, Christine is interested in pursuing a career in political public relations.

June 12, 2008 - Ninth grade students from Lake-Lehman School, Luzerne County, visit the state Capitol.

June 12, 2008 – Senator Baker served as the keynote speaker at the Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center Community Awards Dinner. Above, the Senator meets with members of the Pike County chapter of Rallying Youth Organizers Together. The group, which is locally affiliated with Safe Haven, Inc., was Children and Youth Award runner-up. Standing from left to right are Amanda Henry, Morgan Keller, Ashley Prosser, Bailey Harman, and Tiffany Rodriguez. Seated from left to right are Cindy Stine, advisor to the group; Senator Baker; and Sarah Azzilini.

June 10, 2008 - Above, Senator Baker comments during the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee hearing on the reauthorization of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. The council is an independent entity created in 1986 to help examine the cost and quality of health care within the state.

June 9, 2008 - Senator Baker spoke to girl scouts and others at a Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony in the capitol rotunda. The Gold Award is the highest honor that can be achieved by Girl Scouts between the ages of 14-18. To receive the award, a Girl Scout must complete a project that benefits her community and initiates change.

June 9, 2008 - Senator Baker spoke at a press conference detailing a package to provide tax credits and tuition reimbursements to emergency responder volunteers and employers. The Senator encouraged support for the measure in order to help reverse the diminishing number of emergency volunteer responders in Pennsylvania. The bills were later passed by the Senate.

June 6, 2008 - Senator Baker joined in the dedication ceremony of the new Wyoming County Emergency Operations Center in Tunkhannock. The center houses the American Red Cross, 911 Communications, and the Emergency Management Agency, allowing for greater cooperation between the three entities. Above, Senator Baker stands inside the new facility with Gene Dziak, Emergency Management Agency Coordinator.

June 6, 2008 - Senator Baker visited the Kingston Police Department's Communications Center to view a new digital recorder purchased with a Community Revitalization grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The NiceCall Focus III recorder is used to verify information given by individuals who contact the dispatcher in need of emergency services. Above, Senator Baker is shown the new equipment by Chief Keith Keiper (center) and Captain Dan Hunsinger (right).

June 6, 2008 - Senator Baker addressed questions and delivered a legislative update to older Pennsylvanians at the Kingston Senior Center. Issues such as the state budget and property taxes were prominent during the discussion. Above, Senator Baker takes notes while talking to several attendees.

June 4, 2008 - Fred Lombardo, his wife Jean, and three of their grandchildren were introduced by Senator Baker during Senate session. The family from Luzerne County spent the day touring the state capitol and experiencing government in action. From left are Senator Baker, Vincenzo Godino, Joseph Godino, Santino Godino, Jean Lombardo, and Fred Lombardo.

June 3, 2008 – Senator Baker participated in the dedication ceremony of 16 new vans for use by the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network. The volunteer-operated network provides transportation to medical appointments for disabled veterans across the country. Above, the Senator salutes the flag during the ceremony at Soldier’s Grove in Harrisburg.

June 3, 2008 – Senator Baker attended the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) Cooperative Dinner. The PREA, founded in 1942, is made up of 14 electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the back row from left are John E. McNamara, Senator Baker, Tom Elliot, Chairman of Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative; Representative Karen Boback; Representative Sandra Major; and Representative Tina Pickett. Seated in front is John McNamara of Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.