Rep. Carey Baker, on military duty in Iraq, gets to chat with other legislators and his wife and infant son.
By Associated Press
Published August 14, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - A Florida lawmaker on military duty in Iraq spoke Wednesday by telephone with his colleagues gathered for their fourth special legislative session of the year.
"No matter how bad things are there, they could be worse," Rep. Carey Baker, a first sergeant in the Florida National Guard, told the members of the Florida House. "You could be here."
Baker, a Eustis Republican, also missed the regular two-month session in March and April because his unit had been called up.
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, asked Baker whether he had received any of the supplies the House had collected and sent.
"I have now broken my back carrying those supplies," Baker answered, adding that small things like Gatorade and folding chairs made life bearable in Iraq.
But, he said, Iraq is a dangerous place.
"Every night mortar rounds come in on us," Baker said. Nurturing a functioning democracy in Iraq will be a big job, he said.
The conversation, which lasted about 10 minutes, ended with a goodbye from Baker's wife, Lori, who was holding their year-old son, Leighton.
