Emma Hardy: “Today I rise to honor Douglas ``Stretch'' Baker of Nye County, Nevada, for his dedicated service to save and preserve…”

“Today I rise to honor Douglas ``Stretch'' Baker of Nye County, Nevada, for his dedicated service to save and preserve the Tonopah Historic Mining Park. The park, a critically acclaimed tourism site, is a crucial part of the mining heritage of Tonopah and the proud history of the State of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Baker has given countless hours of his time and use of his equipment to make the site safe and attractive to visitors, to build a unique welcoming sign and gate, and to promote the park through appropriate signage. When it became known that the signature Mizpah shaft was in immediate need of repair, the Tonopah Historic Mining Park Foundation undertook a momentous fundraising effort to save the structure and was able to raise over $100,000. Mr. Baker was invaluable in the effort, even acting as a crane operator and ``adviser in chief.'' Mr. Speaker, Douglas ``Stretch'' Baker is to be commended, along with the Tonopah Historic Mining Park Foundation Board, for bringing the exciting project to a successful conclusion, thereby preserving one of the most important artifacts of Nevada's mining history. ____________________”