15 Facts About Stewart Baker

Stewart Abercrombie Baker was born on July 17,1947 and was the first Assistant Secretary for Policy at the United States Department of Homeland Security under the Presidency of George W Bush.

Stewart Baker clerked for Frank M Coffin, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit and Shirley Hufstedler, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

Stewart Baker was born on July 17,1947, in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Stewart Baker's father died when he was young, and his mother eventually moved the family to Dearborn, Michigan, supporting them through a career with the Ford Motor Company.

Stewart Baker received his JD degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1975.

Stewart Baker served as an intern law clerk to Shirley Hufstedler, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

In 1979, Stewart Baker became Deputy General Counsel, Special Assistant to Secretary Shirley Hufstedler, United States Department of Education.

Stewart 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.

Stewart Baker was awarded the Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service in 1994.

Stewart Baker advocated for better use of modern technology for tracking terrorists, including the use of electronic surveillance and better coordination with law enforcement officials.

Stewart Baker noted the importance of recognizing and protecting privacy and civil liberties.

In 2004 to 2005, Stewart 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.

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.

Stewart Baker's nomination was confirmed by the US Senate on October 7,2005.

Stewart Baker negotiated several agreements between DHS and European governments concerning European privacy law and a US legal requirement that airlines provide reservation data about US-bound passengers to the US government.