LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Susan M. Baer upon the occasion of her
retirement after 37 years of distinguished service to The Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Susan M. Baer has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Susan M.
Baer upon the occasion of her retirement after 37 years of distinguished
service to The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Serving as Director of the Aviation Department, Susan M. Baer
is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of one of the
world's busiest airport systems including: John F. Kennedy Interna-
tional, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and Teterboro and
Stewart International airports; she oversees a staff of more than 930
Port Authority employees, as well as more than 3,500 contract staff; and
WHEREAS, Susan M. Baer holds a Bachelor's degree in Urban Studies and
Anthropology from Barnard College, and a Master's degree in Business
Administration from New York University; and
WHEREAS, A 37-year veteran of the Port Authority, Susan M. Baer began
her illustrious career with the bi-state agency as a management analyst;
in 1985, she was promoted from manager of the Public Services Division
of the Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department, to manager of the
Lincoln Tunnel, the first woman to hold that position; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the following year, Susan M. Baer became manager
of the midtown Manhattan Port Authority, the world's busiest Bus Termi-
nal, and was once again the first woman promoted to that position; in
1988, she moved from buses to planes, joining the Aviation Department as
General Manager of Aviation Customer and Marketing Services; and
WHEREAS, Susan M. Baer is the first person in agency history to manage
all of the major Port Authority airports; she was appointed General
Manager of LaGuardia Airport in 1994, General Manager of New Jersey
Airports (Newark and Teterboro) in June of 1998, and General Manager of
Kennedy Airport in 2007; she was named Deputy Director/Chief Operating
Officer of the Aviation Department in 2008, and became Director of
Aviation on September 25, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Active within her community, Susan M. Baer serves as a Board
member of the Newark Museum, and Vaughn College of Aeronautics; she was
one of only three Airport Representatives among the 19 members of the
Future of Aviation Advisory Committee, and is also a member of the
NextGen Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Susan M. Baer has been honored by several organizations, some
of which include, the New Jersey AFL-CIO, Newark International Airport
Airline Managers Association, the Newark Regional Business Partnership,
Barnard College, the YWCA of New York, the Boy Scouts of America, and
the Aviation Institute; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her loving husband, and three
beautiful children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life
and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in this Nation, and in the
great State of New York, is reflective of the purposeful lives and good
works of those civic-minded community members who dedicate their lives
and career to the service of others; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Susan M. Baer upon the occasion of her retirement after 37 years
of distinguished service to The Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Susan M. Baer.