[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E17-E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH BAGGETT, JAG CORPS, U.S. NAVY 
                                 (RET)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Joseph 
Baggett, JAGC, USN (ret), who is retiring after 46 years of combined 
active duty and civilian service to our nation with the United States 
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. He graduated 
Phi Beta Kappa from Tulane University in May 1971. He later earned a 
J.D. from Tulane University School of Law, and an LL. M. in Ocean and 
Coastal Law from the University of Miami School of Law. A longtime 
resident of Herndon, Virginia is his home.
  In 1971, Captain Baggett began his dedicated service to our nation as 
a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. During the next 30 years, 
Captain Baggett served on active duty in a wide variety of roles, 
traveling throughout the United States and overseas. His assignments 
included two tours as a Supply Corps

[[Page E18]]

officer, including service onboard USS Rich (DD 820); Naval Legal 
Service Office, Jacksonville, Florida; Commander, Middle East Force; 
Commander, Iceland Defense Force; Commander, Sixth Fleet; Navy Office 
of Legislative Affairs; and the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy 
Directorate. Later in his career he served as Deputy Assistant Judge 
Advocate General for International Law; as Counsel for National 
Security to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; as Staff 
Judge Advocate for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; as 
Commanding Officer, Naval Legal Service Office, Norfolk, Virginia; and 
as Director of the Legislation Division in the Office of Legislative 
Affairs.
  Following his retirement from active duty in December 2000, Captain 
Baggett continued his superlative service to the Navy as a civilian, 
serving for another sixteen years as Deputy Director of the 
International and Operational Law Division in the Office of the Judge 
Advocate General in the Pentagon. In that role, he has been a constant 
champion of our national interests in the areas of law of the sea and 
freedom of navigation.
  His support to our national security cannot be overstated. Captain 
Baggett's expertise and understanding of the complexities of the law of 
the sea and the law of armed conflict are without equal in the U.S. 
government. As the Armed Forces confronted myriad diverse challenges, 
he delivered sage counsel to the Department of the Navy, facilitating 
our ability to conduct naval operations. His profound knowledge and 
experience directly improved the ability to the sea services to fulfil 
their missions throughout the world.
  For his outstanding service to our nation, Captain Baggett earned 
numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious 
Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy 
Achievement Medal, Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Navy 
Superior Civilian Service Award, and Navy Meritorious Civilian Service 
Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in commending Captain 
Baggett for his commitment to our country and the sacrifices he made on 
its behalf. On the occasion of his retirement from the federal service, 
I thank him and his family for his honorable service to our nation and 
wish him fair winds and following seas as he concludes a distinguished 
career.

                          ____________________