Stewart Abercrombie Baker (born July 17, 1947) is the Assistant Secretary for Policy for the United States Department of Homeland Security (as of 2006).^[1][2] July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), commonly known as Homeland Security, is a Cabinet department of the Federal Government of the United States with the responsibility of protecting the territory of the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters. ...

Baker is the former General Counsel of the National Security Agency (1992-1994) and author of the book, The Limits of Trust: Cryptography, Governments, and Electronic Commerce (1998), and other publications and articles on electronic commerce and international trade. Earlier in his career, Baker was Law Clerk to John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court from 1977 to 1978. He also clerked for Frank M. Coffin, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit (1976-77) and Shirley Hufstedler, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1975).^[3][4] He was in private practice with the Washington, DC-based law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP from 1981 to 1992 and again from 1994 to 2005.^[5] The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) is the U.S. governments cryptologic organization. ... John Paul Stevens (born April 20, 1920) is an American jurist, and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. ... The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the judicial branch of the United States federal government. ... Frank M. Coffin was born in Lewiston, Maine on July 11, 1919. ... The United States Courts of Appeals (or circuit courts) are the mid-level appellate courts of the United States federal court system. ... Shirley Mount Hufstedler (born August 24, 1925) was United States Secretary of Education under President Jimmy Carter. ... The United States Courts of Appeals (or circuit courts) are the mid-level appellate courts of the United States federal court system. ...

Baker is married to Anne Kornhauser Baker. They have three children and one grandchild and live in northern Virginia. Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ...

Early life

Baker was born on July 17, 1947 in Poughkeepsie, NY. He is the son of Henry Irving Baker, Jr. (1917-1949) and Ruth (Abercrombie) Baker (1918-1965). Baker's father died when he was young, and his mother eventually moved the family to Detroit, MI, supporting them through a career with the Ford Motor Company. Baker attended public high school in Detroit.^[6] July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Poughkeepsie (pronounced ) is a city in New York, USA and serves as the county seat of Dutchess County, located in the Hudson River Valley roughly midway between New York City and Albany. ... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area    - City 370. ... Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation and the worlds third largest automaker based on vehicle sales in 2005. ...

Baker obtained his Bachelor's Degree from Brown University in 1969. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law in 1975. While in law school, he published A Strict Scrutiny of the Right to Travel in the UCLA Law Review (1975). He also served as an intern law clerk to Shirley Hufstedler, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.^[7] Brown University is a private university located in Providence, Rhode Island. ... The University of California, Los Angeles, generally known as UCLA, is a public university whose main campus is located in the affluent Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. ... The Hugh and Hazel Darling Law Library, UCLA School of Law The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Law is the law school of the University of California, Los Angeles. ... Shirley Mount Hufstedler (born August 24, 1925) was United States Secretary of Education under President Jimmy Carter. ... The United States Courts of Appeals (or circuit courts) are the mid-level appellate courts of the United States federal court system. ...

Professional career

Following his graduation from law school in 1976, Baker clerked for Frank M. Coffin, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit. In 1979, Baker became Deputy General Counsel, Special Assistant to Secretary Shirley Hufstedler, United States Department of Education. He served in this position until 1981. In 1981, Baker joined Steptoe & Johnson LLP.^[5][8] Frank M. Coffin was born in Lewiston, Maine on July 11, 1919. ... The United States Courts of Appeals (or circuit courts) are the mid-level appellate courts of the United States federal court system. ... Shirley Mount Hufstedler (born August 24, 1925) was United States Secretary of Education under President Jimmy Carter. ... ED headquarters in Washington A construction project to repair and update the building facade at the Department of Education Headquarters building in 2002 resulted in the installation of structures at all of the entrances to protect employees and visitors from falling debris. ...

Baker stayed with Steptoe & Johnson LLP until appointed in 1992 by President George Bush to serve as General Counsel to the National Security Agency (NSA). Baker served at the NSA during the time when the agency was defending the controversial Clipper Chip, an electronic encryption device that was equipped with a decoding key for use by the US government.^[9] Baker was awarded the Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service in 1994.^[10] George Bush can refer to several people, two of whom have been Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush - George Walker Bush, the current President of the United States George H. W. Bush - George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United States (1989–1993) George P. Bush... The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) is the U.S. governments cryptologic organization. ... The Clipper chip is a chipset that was developed and promoted by the U.S. Government as an encryption device to be adopted by telecommunications companies for voice transmission. ...

Following his two-year stint at the NSA, Baker returned to private practice at Steptoe & Johnson. His practice at the firm concentrated on issues related to privacy, national security, computer security, electronic surveillance, encryption, digital commerce, and export controls.^[11] The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) is the U.S. governments cryptologic organization. ...

After the attacks of 9/11, in 2003, Baker testified before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. His testimony noted: The date that commonly refers to the attacks on United States citizens on September 11, 2001 (see the September 11, 2001 Attacks). ... The Commissions seal The references in this article would be clearer with a different and/or consistent style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ...

Baker advocated for better use of modern technology for tracking terrorists, including the use of electronic survellience and better coordination with law enforcement officials. He also noted the importance of recognizing and protecting privacy and civil liberties. ^[13]

In 2004-2005, Baker chaired the drafting team for the report by the General Counsel of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction.^[14] This report examined the intelligence around weapons of mass destruction prior to the invasion of Iraq and made specific recommendations for change to prevent future intelligence errors.^[15][16] The Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction was a panel created by Executive Order 13328 signed by U.S. President George W. Bush in February of 2004. ...

On July 13, 2005, Baker was appointed by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary for Policy for the United States Department of Homeland Security. His nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2005.^[17][18] News of his nomination was greeted with mixed reviews by privacy advocates and those concerned about his position on civil liberties. July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and the 43rd and current President of the United States. ... The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), commonly known as Homeland Security, is a Cabinet department of the Federal Government of the United States with the responsibility of protecting the territory of the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

He is not Stuart G. Baker, Assistant to the President and Director of Lessons Learned, although the two are often confused.

References