LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the illustrious career of Tracy
Baxter upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distin-
guished service in the field of Broadcasting

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to celebrate the career of news-
man Tracy Baxter and to honor his contributions in providing information
and understanding to the Hudson Valley community; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Baxter officially retired as a columnist and the
Regional Editor of Multimedia for the TIMES HERALD-RECORD on January 30,
2015, after nearly five years as the online face of "NewsWatch"; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Baxter has been a news authority in the Hudson Valley
and the Catskills for more than 40 years; he has covered thousands of
stories, including the release of the Iranian hostages who flew into
Stewart Airport in Newburgh in January 1981 and traveled by bus to the
United States Military Academy at West Point to the cheers of thousands
of residents along what became known as Freedom Road; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1988, Tracy Baxter reported on the terrorist
bombing that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland,
which killed all 16 crew members and 243 passengers, including Theo
Cohen from Port Jervis; and
WHEREAS, The following November, Tracy Baxter was on the scene to tell
of a tornado that brought down a wall at East Coldenham Elementary
School, killing seven students and injuring many more; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Tracy Baxter was there to report on people who
have made a difference in their communities, on positive stories in the
region, including Thanksgiving meals served to the hungry, and Habitat
for Humanity which builds homes for the homeless; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Baxter started his news reporting career in 1972 in
radio at WDLC in Port Jervis, New York, becoming its News Director, and
then moved to the other side of Orange County, reporting for WGNY in
Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable newsman spent most of his career, 27 years as
News Director and Anchor, at Cable 6 TV for Time Warner Cable in Middle-
town, New York where he pioneered television news in the region; and
WHEREAS, Tracy Baxter not only survived but thrived in an occupational
field where employment is anything but guaranteed, especially over the
last 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Given his calm, authoritative style, Tracy Baxter became the
journalist in his region who people could trust and ultimately turn to
for their news; and
WHEREAS, Fellow reporters, public relations practitioners and the
subjects of his news stories have a high regard for Tracy Baxter, his
work, his dedication and his sensitivity; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body gives special recognition to one whose
name became synonymous with Hudson Valley news; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the illustrious career of Tracy Baxter upon the
occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service in
the field of Broadcasting, and to wish him well in all his future
endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Tracy Baxter.