Senate Resolution 119

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP 416 IN BRANDON, MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMENDING THE RICH SCOUTING TRADITION IN THE STRONG RIVER DISTRICT OF THE ANDREW JACKSON COUNCIL.

WHEREAS, in March 2024, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 416 in Brandon, Mississippi, celebrated its 50th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, for five decades, the Strong River District, Andrew Jackson Council of the Reservoir Scouting Association has been preparing young men to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law; and

WHEREAS, since the inception of Troop 416 in March of 1974, 106 young men have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Boy Scouts of America, Troop 416 has served the reservoir area at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Eagle projects are all over the reservoir area and most can still be recognized as flourishing staples in the community; and

WHEREAS, the unit is now chartered under the Reservoir Scouting Association and hopes to continue the scouting movement for another 50 years. The Reservoir Scouting Association also charters the co-ed group Cub Scout Pack 576 that will turn 50 years old later this year. Pack 576 ranges from kindergarten to fifth grade. Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Girls Troop 2719 is also chartered with the Reservoir Scouting Association and was installed in February of 2019. It was the first female Scout Troop in the State of Mississippi. They had their first female Eagle Scout in 2022; and

WHEREAS, being a Scout teaches life skills: 64% of Air Force Academy graduates are Scouts; 63% of West Point graduates are Scouts; 77% of Annapolis graduates are Scouts; 72% of all Rhodes Scholars are Scouts; 85% of all FBI agents are Scouts and 57% of the first 65 astronauts were Scouts; and

WHEREAS, for every 100 boys who join a Boy Scout troop: 12 will have their first contact with a church; one will enter the clergy; eight will enter a career that was learned through the merit badge system; one will use his Boy Scout skills to save a life; one will use his Boy Scout skills to save his own life; 17 will become scouting volunteers; and two will become Eagle Scouts; and

WHEREAS, scouting is a wonderful movement, and Troop 416 is delighted to serve the boys and girls in the reservoir area. Not only does scouting teach youth, but is also teaches parents and leaders how to live better. Scouting is a way of life for the rest of one's life. Happy Birthday Troop 416!; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 416 in Brandon, Mississippi, and commend the rich scouting tradition in the Strong River District of the Andrew Jackson Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Michael Lowery, Troop Master at Boy Scouts of America, Troop 416 in Brandon, Mississippi, forwarded to the Andrew Jackson Council and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.