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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 70
BY SENATOR ADLEY
CONDOLENCES. Extends condolences upon the death of U.S. Marine Corps Lance
Corporal Esrom Joseph.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the2
family of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Esrom "Izzy" Joseph upon his3
death while serving in his country's armed forces.4
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Esrom Joseph, affectionately known to his family and5
friends as "Izzy", was a native of Opelousas, attending Lawtell Elementary School before6
he and his family moved to Scott, Louisiana, where he continued his studies at Ossun7
Elementary and Scott Middle School before graduating from Carencro High on May 21,8
2011; and9
WHEREAS, ten days after graduation, Lance Corporal Joseph left for basic training10
with the United States Marine Corps at Paris Island, where he successfully completed the11
Corp's tough training program; and12
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph had worried throughout his basic training that13
he might not successfully complete the course because the last portion of the program dealt14
with a challenging swimming test and he had never mastered swimming; and15
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph passed the Marine Corps swim test, graduated16
from basic training and was assigned to Camp Lejeune as a mortar-man with the 3
rd
17
Battalion, 9
th
Marine Regiment, 2
nd
Marine Division; and18 SR NO. 70
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WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph was very proud to be a Marine and he wrote to1
his mother, Brenda Joseph, that by becoming a Marine, he had achieved one of his greatest2
goals in life, and now all he wanted to do was to serve and fight for his country; and3
WHEREAS, over the next year, Lance Corporal Joseph was awarded the National4
Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and5
WHEREAS, in August of 2012, Lance Corporal Joseph and some his fellow Marines6
planned to spend a weekend on the North Carolina coast at Emerald Isle Beach, relaxing and7
taking a break from the unrelenting Marine Corps pace; and8
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph told his mother of his plans and she told him that9
he should wear a life jacket in the ocean, to which he responded that he was no longer fearful10
of the water because he was a Marine; and11
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph did go swimming with two friends and during12
that swim, he and the two friends were caught in a vicious rip tide and all began to struggle13
against being swept out to sea; and14
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph and his friends held on to each other as they15
struggled but the rip tide proved too strong and caused them to separate; and16
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Joseph was overcome by the dark and powerful currents17
of the ocean on Saturday, August 11, 2012.18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana19
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of United States20
Marine Corps Lance Corporal Esrom "Izzy" Joseph for their immeasurable loss and for the21
service and sacrifice their Marine made for his country.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the23
family of Lance Corporal Esrom "Izzy" Joseph.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Adley SR No. 70
Expresses condolences upon the death of USMC Lance Corporal Esrom "Izzy" Joseph.