Changes

Baumgartner taught classes at Harvard. He volunteered as a researcher on environmental science teams with the [[US Forest Service]]. During the [[Iraq War]], he served as the Economics Officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the United States Embassy in [[Baghdad]], helping the [[Iraq]]i government as part of the Baghdad Security Plan. He was praised by then-General [[David Petraeus]] as well as Ambassador [[Ryan Crocker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://honors.wsu.edu/alumnifriends/mbaumgartner/ |title=Honors College: Michael Baumgartner |publisher=Honors.wsu.edu |date=2006-02-14 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> In 2008, he spent seven months working as a civilian contractor in the Helmand Province of [[Afghanistan]]. That same year, the Boston Globe referred to Baumgartner as the "Architect of Hope" in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/02/what_id_rather_read/ |title=What I'd rather read - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baumgartnerforsenate.com/bio.html |title=Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate |publisher=Baumgartnerforsenate.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref>

Baumgartner taught classes at Harvard. He volunteered as a researcher on environmental science teams with the [[US Forest Service]]. During the [[Iraq War]], he served as the Economics Officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment (JSPA) at the United States Embassy in [[Baghdad]], helping the [[Iraq]]i government as part of the Baghdad Security Plan. He was praised by then-General [[David Petraeus]] as well as Ambassador [[Ryan Crocker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://honors.wsu.edu/alumnifriends/mbaumgartner/ |title=Honors College: Michael Baumgartner |publisher=Honors.wsu.edu |date=2006-02-14 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> In 2008, he spent seven months working as a civilian contractor in the Helmand Province of [[Afghanistan]]. That same year, the Boston Globe referred to Baumgartner as the "Architect of Hope" in the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/02/what_id_rather_read/ |title=What I'd rather read - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baumgartnerforsenate.com/bio.html |title=Vote Michael Baumgartner for US Senate |publisher=Baumgartnerforsenate.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref>

==Politics==

==Politics=

While serving as Washington State Senator, Baumgartner has sponsored  an amendment to the [[Washington State Constitution]] to rise Higher Education to the State's #2 focus, reorganizing and streamlining central service functions, powers, and duties of the State Government, and reforming the rule-making process for State Economic Policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/Senators/Pages/BillSponsorship.aspx?m=baumgartner |title=Bill Sponsorship |publisher=Leg.wa.gov |date= |accessdate=August 27, 2012}}</ref>

While serving as Washington State Senator, Baumgartner has sponsored  an amendment to the Washington State Constitution to rise Higher Education to the State's #2 focus, reorganizing and streamlining central service functions, powers, and duties of the State Government, and reforming the rule-making process for State Economic Policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/Senators/Pages/BillSponsorship.aspx?m=baumgartner |title=Bill Sponsorship |publisher=Leg.wa.gov |date= |accessdate=August 27, 2012}}</ref>

The Association of Washington Business has awarded him their 'Cornerstone Award' also, in recognition of his support for employers, economic development, and business-related issues in the Washington State Legislature. <ref> http://www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/news/2012/baumgartner/040212cornerstone.htm </ref> In 2012, Baumgartner was named one of the [[National Federation of Independent Business]]' Guardians of Business, the highest award they offer, in recognition of his votes that side "100 Percent" with small businesses.<ref> http://www.nfib.com/nfib-in-my-state/nfib-in-my-state-content?cmsid=59970 </ref>  

The Association of Washington Business has awarded him their 'Cornerstone Award' also, in recognition of his support for employers, economic development, and business-related issues in the Washington State Legislature. <ref> http://www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/news/2012/baumgartner/040212cornerstone.htm </ref> In 2012, Baumgartner was named one of the [[National Federation of Independent Business]]' Guardians of Business, the highest award they offer, in recognition of his votes that side "100 Percent" with small businesses.<ref> http://www.nfib.com/nfib-in-my-state/nfib-in-my-state-content?cmsid=59970 </ref>