Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF SEABEE CHIEF JOEL BALDWIN OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS A COMBAT CASUALTY IN IRAQ ON DECEMBER 21, 2004.

WHEREAS, carried through a corridor of his shipmates, Seabee Chief Joel Baldwin, who died in Mosul, Iraq, on December 21, 2004, came home to his family in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Tuesday, December 28, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Chief Baldwin, a 37-year-old builder chief, was likely on a survey trip in Mosul when he was killed by a suicide bomber who attacked United States troops in a mess tent on December 21, 2004. He was the second Seabee from Gulfport to die in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, at the ceremony Seabees stood silently and somberly honoring Baldwin, who served in Iraq with a detachment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7. The battalion's main body is deployed to Guam. Since the war began, Seabees have worked to improve living conditions for United States troops and to help rebuild the war-torn country; and

WHEREAS, Joel Egan Baldwin of Gulfport, Mississippi, was born on October 16, 1967, in Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Republic of Panama, to Spike and Wendy Baldwin. In 1987 he graduated from Balboa High School, and joined the United States Navy in 1988. In August of 1989 he married his high school sweetheart, Claudia Veronica Jordan. After 2-1/2 years of duty in Fort Davis, Panama, they moved to the Gulf Coast. After 5-1/2 years at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Joel was selected for duty with the Naval Support Unit, State Department, and was stationed at the United States Embassy in Mexico City for two years; and

WHEREAS, on December 9, 1995, he and Claudia welcomed their daughter, Cali Ravai. His love for the Gulf Coast birthplace of his daughter brought him back to continue serving his country and the community while raising Cali; and

WHEREAS, Joe was a loving, loyal, honorable, valiant, giving, hardworking person who positively impacted every person he met. All who knew him would agree that their lives were permanently enriched by him; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Cali; sister, Kelly Baldwin Morris; brother, Andrew Baldwin; mother, Wendy Ruth Kurzdorfer Baldwin; and father, William (Spike) Baldwin. Also mourning his loss are father-in-law, Johnny Jordan; mother-in-law, Yolanda Aizpurua Martini Jordan; sisters-in-law, Jessica Bishop and Cristina Conroy; and brothers-in-law, Michael Jordan and Craig Morris. Joel had seven beautiful nephews and one niece who adored him and he cherished them with all his heart. He is predeceased by paternal grandparents, William Wescott Baldwin, Sr., and Electra Vunck Baldwin, and maternal grandparents, Perce Elmer Kurzdorfer and Patricia Amy Thompson Kurzdorfer and a precious baby brother, Amado Baldwin; and

WHEREAS, Mississippians understand the costs of conflict because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who was the guardian of civilization as we know it today:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and commend the life of Seabee Chief Joel Baldwin of Gulfport, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on December 21, 2004, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family and our sorrow on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Chief Baldwin and be made available to The Sun Herald and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.