House Resolution 128

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MR. JOHN ALLEN UPON BEING NAMED THE 2014 ROOKIE AGRICULTURE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AS ADVISOR OF THE JUMPERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, during the past two years the Jumpertown High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) program has been led by the venerable and competent leadership of advisor Mr. John Allen, who was named 2014 Rookie Agriculture Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, awarded to one first year agriculture educator, the Rookie Agriculture Teacher of the Year award acknowledges the exceptional performance of teachers in their first year of teaching in the agricultural sector; and

WHEREAS, having committed countless hours on nights and weekends, many times away from home, Mr. Allen has made many selfless sacrifices to facilitate a successful FFA program at Jumpertown High School which reflects greatly upon its student participants and the entire school district; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen championed Jumpertown High School FFA's successful bid for a Food For All competitive grant program that provides funding to support rural, suburban and urban FFA chapters to develop, implement and evaluate sustainable hunger related service projects impacting the local community after demonstrating the ability to accomplish whatever goal the FFA's members set for themselves and their impressive record of community service; and

WHEREAS, committed to fulfilling the mission of FFA of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education, Mr. Allen's students have remained steadfast in their efforts to raise agricultural awareness and contribute to their local community through such projects as planting more than 1,500 tomato plants that were given to all students with caring instructions and building raised beds to grow produce that was donated to local food pantries and nursing homes; and

WHEREAS, the passion and dedication of Mr. Allen to encourage and inspire the aspiring leaders of tomorrow are made evident through the incredible accomplishments by Jumpertown High School FFA, which epitomize the FFA motto, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend excellence, especially when evidenced by an exceptional educator of Mr. Allen's caliber, who has dedicated his newly begun career to developing and cultivating the minds and spirits of the many students with whom he has and will continue to come in contact during the course of his illustrious career:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Mr. John Allen upon being named the 2014 Rookie Agriculture Teacher of the Year as advisor of the Jumpertown High School Future Farmers of America Program, and extend to him best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. John Allen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.