VT HCR175

House concurrent resolution honoring J. Stannard Baker of Shelburne, who died in June 2025 at age 79

Baker was a plaintiff in the landmark 1999 Vermont Supreme Court case Baker v. State, which established marriage equality under the Vermont Constitution and led to Act 91 of 2000 (civil unions) and Act 3 of 2009 (civil marriage)

Professional career included co-founding the Otter Creek School, working as a registered play therapist and licensed mental health counselor, and serving as mental health clinical director in Addison and Chittenden Counties

Ordained as an Episcopal deacon in 2009, served as archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, and was elected to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in 2024

Directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Baker's family and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont