Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Senators Rubio, Scott & Florida Delegation Introduce Bills To Formally Rename Middleburg VA Outpatient Clinic The "A.K. Baker VA Clinic"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Kat Cammack, Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and all members of the Florida House delegation announced the introduction of H.R. 1960 and its Senate companion: "To Rename The Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Located At 400 College Drive, Middleburg, Florida, The "A.K. Baker VA Clinic."

The clinic's renaming honors Antisubmarine Warfare Chief Andrew Kenneth Baker of Middleburg, Florida who was killed during a SEAL training event when Trident 615, an H-60 Seahawk, crashed at sea on March 13, 1997.

Assigned bill number H.R. 1960 in honor of Chief Baker's birth year, the bill honors his decorated career. Chief Baker served on the USS Carl Vinson and USS Coral Sea as a Ship's Serviceman and completed training in Search and Rescue Swimmer School in Pensacola and Fleet Replacement Aircrewman training at NAS Jacksonville, earning his "Wings of Gold." Chief Baker then reported to HS-9, serving on the USS Nimitz, then in HS-3, assigned as the Training and Operations Chief.

"It's very special to be able to introduce this bill as one of my first legislative initiatives during the 117th Congress," said Cammack. "I've come to know Ms. Tina Baker, Andrew's widow, well over the last decade and it's my honor to recognize her husband's distinguished legacy by enshrining his name on a community resource that has become a seminal part of the Middleburg area."

"I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to honor U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Kenneth Baker’s legacy of bravery and service to our country," Senator Rubio said. "The new VA clinic in Clay County will be instrumental in providing quality care to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to serve, like Chief Petty Officer Baker."

"I'm proud to join my colleagues in this legislation to honor the legacy of a local hero, U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Kenneth Baker, by naming the Clay County Veterans Affairs Clinic, in Middleburg, FL, the 'Andrew K. Baker Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,'" Senator Scott said. "Chief Baker served as a search and rescue swimmer, helping train hundreds of service members before his passing in a tragic training accident. This designation will pay tribute to his incredible service."

"The clinic is a tremendous beacon for our veterans' community, offering lab work, primary care, telehealth services, and mental health counseling," Cammack added. "I can think of no better way to honor Chief Baker and his family than to ensure he will always be remembered."

At home in Middleburg, Chief Baker was an avid fisherman, scouring the waters of Black Creek and the St. Johns as much as he could. He coached his son's little league baseball team and served as troop leader for the local cub scouts. He was a devoted husband to his wife Tina and to sons Andrew K Baker II and Jacob Baker.

All 27 members of the Florida House delegation have signed on to H.R. 1960 as original cosponsors. The bill now heads to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.