Senate Resolution 39

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF TROOP 8, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Troop 8, Boy Scouts of America of First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, is celebrating 100 years of service in 2021 as a mentoring ministry to young men using the tools of scouting to develop a lifelong pursuit of Character, Adventure, Leadership and Faith; and

WHEREAS, Troop 8's mission is to provide a safe and Christ-centered environment for each Scout to explore and discover his God-given potential to make a difference in all areas of life. Troop 8 desires for every Scout to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, for 100 years, Troop 8's focus has been to encourage young citizens to impact our city, state and nation with Christian service. Troop 8 Scouts learn to listen for God's voice in a silent wilderness and acknowledge His guidance as our True North; and

WHEREAS, Troop 8 has been chartered since 1921 by First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, through the Boy Scouts of America and is the oldest continually chartered troop in the state by the same organization and among the oldest continually chartered in the nation. With over 100 Scouts currently on the roster, Troop 8 has hosted four generations of young men since the 1920s; and

WHEREAS, with a proven and consistent outdoor adventure and leadership system to provide a program that enables a Scout to achieve his many advancement requirements, Troop 8 has awarded over 660 Eagle Scouts since 1923, ranking it among the highest in the nation. With 15 Scoutmasters since 1921, Troop 8 has been supported by scores of volunteer Christian leaders passing along a tradition of excellence in the scouting program; and

WHEREAS, The Clarion-Ledger reported on the First Anniversary in January 1922, that "the Acme Bakery has asked the privilege of furnishing the birthday cake for the boys and they look forward to the cutting of it with great pleasure"; and

WHEREAS, Troop 8 repeatedly achieves the Gold Level of the Boy Scouts of America Journey to Excellence Award, which encourages excellence and continuous improvement in providing a quality Boy Scouts of America Program, and Troop 8 was also the only unit in the nation to earn the Association of Baptists in Scouting Unit Award of Excellence for three years in a row; and

WHEREAS, among its many acts of service, Troop 8 has participated in the Commissioning Ceremony of the USS Jackson (LCS-6), the dedication of the Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi History Museum, the unveiling of the Mississippi Monument at Shiloh National Military Park, and many opportunities to unfurl with honor the new Mississippi State Flag; and

WHEREAS, a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Troop 8 has emphasized honorable duty to God and Country throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the scouts, scoutmasters, alumni, parents and sponsors of Troop 8 in celebrating this auspicious event:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of Troop 8, Boy Scouts of America of First Baptist Church of Jackson, Mississippi, and extend to present and past members of this organization our best wishes for the future as they continue the Journey to Excellence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Troop 8, Boy Scouts of America, forwarded to the Board of Elders of First Baptist Jackson, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.