[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JOSEPH E. BAGGETT

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Captain Joseph E. Baggett, Judge Advocate Generals' Corps, United 
States Navy, upon his retirement after twenty-nine years of devoted, 
active duty service in our great nation's Navy.
  Captain Baggett was born into a military family. The son of a career 
enlisted Marine, Captain Baggett grew up in the presence of the United 
States Navy in such diverse locations as Naval Air Station Pensacola, 
Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, and the United Kingdom. Raised with 
the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and with a family 
tradition of service, it only made sense that he too would pursue a 
military career.
  Captain Baggett graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Tulane University in 
May 1971, and entered the Navy through Tulane's Naval Reserve Officer 
Training Corps. At that time Captain Baggett raised his hand and took 
his oath to support and defend the Constitution. In the years since 
that day he has devoted indeed all of his great energy, talent, and 
intellect to that task. He has been steadfast in his covenant to this 
nation and his devotion to those with whom he has served. An 
illustrious career gives eloquent testimony to his service to our 
country and to our Navy's legal community.
  After two tours as a Supply Corps officer, including service onboard 
USS Rich (DD-820), he entered the Navy's Law Education Program and 
commenced the study of law at Tulane University. After earning his 
Juris Doctor degree in 1977, his first tour of duty as a Navy Judge 
Advocate was at Naval Legal Service Office, Jacksonville, Florida where 
he served as a formidable military prosecutor tirelessly pursuing 
justice on behalf of the Navy.
  Captain Baggett's subsequent tours demonstrate his exceptional talent 
for international and operational law, his unsurpassed academic 
credentials, and his desire to serve the Fleet wherever required. In 
such diverse assignments as Commander Middle East Force onboard USS 
LaSalle (AGF-3) and USS Coronado (AGF-11), Commander Iceland Defense 
Force, and Commander Sixth Fleet, serving onboard USS Belknap (CG-26) 
and USS Iowa (BB-61), Captain Baggett's legal acumen and diplomatic 
skill repeatedly helped safeguard America's Interests and project 
America's presence in these often complex areas of the world. 
Interspersed were tours in Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs, the 
International Law Division of the Office of the Judge Advocate General, 
and the University of Miami where he earned a Masters of Law degree in 
Ocean and Coastal Law.
  With his vast experience with forward-deployed, operational forces, 
Captain Baggett was able to quickly contribute to a number of vital, 
National-level issues in subsequent Washington staff assignments, 
including tours on the Joint Staff's Strategic Plans and Policy 
Directorate, as Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for 
International Law, and as the Defense Department Representative for 
Ocean Policy, where he was pivotal in developing United States policy 
on a variety of issues, including issues involving the newly formed 
Russian Federation. With this comprehensive top-level, international 
legal perspective, Captain Baggett was the obvious choice to become the 
Counsel for National Security to the Deputy Attorney General of the 
United States.
  Returning to the Fleet as the Senior Staff Judge Advocate for the 
Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Captain Baggett was a major 
influence in high-level decisionmaking related to all aspects of Fleet 
operations, including environmental coordination and enforcement, rules 
of engagement, medical law, military justice, and the legal aspects of 
shore activity management. Captain Baggett's subsequent tour as the 
Commanding Officer of the Navy's flagship Naval Legal Service Office, 
in Norfolk, Virginia, demonstrated once again his exceptional 
leadership skills. Here he mentored the young men and women of the 
Navy's legal community about the operational imperatives of the Navy, 
and constantly stressed the paramount need to serve the Fleet.
  Captain Baggett's wealth of expertise of Navy won him the assignment 
as Director of the Legislation Division in the Navy's Office of 
Legislative Affairs. In this capacity his consistent sound judgment and 
flawless tact ensured Navy issues were properly conveyed to Senate 
Committees and Subcommittees.
  Standing beside this officer throughout his career has been his wife 
Suzanne, a lady to whom he owes much. She has been his key supporter, 
devoting her life to her husband, to their two sons, Merritt and 
Graham, and to the men and women of the Navy family. She has traveled 
by his side for these many years. Her sacrifice and devotion have 
served as an example and inspiration for others.
  With these words before the Senate, I seek to recognize Captain 
Baggett for his unswerving loyalty to the Navy and the Nation. The 
Department of the Navy and the American people have been served well by 
this dedicated naval officer. He will be missed. He has left the Navy 
better prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st 
century. We thank him and wish Joe, and his lovely wife Suzanne, fair 
winds and following seas as they continue forward in what will most 
assuredly remain lives of service to this Great Nation.

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