He is the former chairman of the Department of Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma,Washington,and a licensed clinical psychologist. He has published several journal articles and three books. He regularly teaches professional development courses to attorneys and judges on communications,ethics and the psychology of persuasion.[4] Baird is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.[5]
On his House of Representatives website,Baird wrote that during his time in Congress,he had flown home nearly every weekend and hosted more than 280 town hall meetings,and that he had visited every high school,port,hospital and countless businesses and organizations in Southwest Washington.[3]
Baird held over 300 town halls,or one for approximately every week and a half he was in office. Although they usually had around 50 participants,when held during passionate debates,they had up to 3000.[citation needed]
Visit to Gaza Strip
On February 19,2009,Baird,together with fellow congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN),visited Gaza to view firsthand the destruction from the Gaza War and meet with international and local relief agencies. Others in the visit included Senator John Kerry (D-MA). The visit,which was not sanctioned by the Obama Administration,was the first time anyone from the U.S. government had entered Gaza in more than three years.[6] Baird said:
"The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here [in Gaza] is staggering. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart-wrenching—what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words."
After Baird's third visit to Gaza in February 2010, he called on the U.S. to end the blockade and to deliver humanitarian supplies, which could include withholding military aid from Israel, saying the U.S. needed to be more serious about getting Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[7][8]
Political campaigns
Baird challenged Republican incumbent Linda Smith in 1996 and lost by only 887 votes. Smith gave up the seat to make an unsuccessful bid for the United States Senate in 1998. Baird ran again and defeated State Senator Don Benton with 54.7% of the vote. He never faced another race that close, and was reelected five times.
On December 9, 2009, Baird announced he would not run for reelection in 2010.[9] After his retirement, Baird and his family moved to Edmonds, Washington, and he wrote books on American politics.[10]
Baird, Brian N.; illustrations by David Horsey (1995). Are We Having Fun Yet?: Enjoying the Outdoors With Partners, Families, and Groups. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. ISBN978-0-89886-449-6.
Baird, Brian N. (1996). The Internship, Practicum, and Field Placement Handbook: A Guide for the Helping Professions (fourth edition, 2004ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN978-0-13-118116-8.
Baird is married to Rachel Nugent and they have two children together. He is the maternal uncle of singer-songwriters Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.[12]
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