State of New Jersey
Executive Order #46

Governor Jon S. Corzine
WHEREAS, United States Army Private First Class Joe L. Baines, of Newark, New Jersey, was raised in Newark and attended Louise A. Spencer School in Newark; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines volunteered to join the Army immediately following his graduation from high school in 2005 and received basic and advanced training at Fort Benning, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines served with honor and distinction as an infantryman in 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines was killed in action while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the city of Taji, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines was a courageous soldier who loved his parents, brothers, sister, family, friends, and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines was, in turn, loved by his parents, brothers, sister, family, friends, and fellow soldiers, who take great pride in his commitment, heroism, and achievements; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines has received some of our nation's highest military honors, including the Army Services Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty, while fighting on behalf of his country; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Baines's patriotism and dedicated service to his country and to his fellow soldiers make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey, the State where he was raised and educated, to mark his passing, remember his family as they mourn their loss, and honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

  1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Tuesday, December 26, 2006, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of United States Army Private First Class Joe L. Baines.

  2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 22nd day
of December, Two Thousand and Six, and of the
Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirty-First.

/s/ Richard J. Codey

Acting Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Kenneth H. Zimmerman

Chief Counsel to the Governor