Senate Concurrent Resolution 626

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE 17 EAGLE SCOUTS FROM THE 2014-2015 SENIOR CLASS AT JACKSON ACADEMY AND COMMENDING THE RICH SCOUTING TRADITION AT THIS EXCELLENT INSTITUTION.

WHEREAS, seventeen members in the 2014-2015 Senior Class at Jackson Academy have attained the coveted rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, the Eagle Award is the highest advancement rank that can be earned as a Boy Scouts of America troop member. It requires years of dedication and work to meet the requirements, including progressing through six previous rank advancements, earning 21 Merit Badges, serving in a troop leadership position, performing a community service project, participating in a Scoutmaster Conference, and successfully completing an Eagle Scout Board of Review. Only 7% of all Boy Scouts achieved this rank in 2013; and

WHEREAS, there are 400-plus merit badges earned among the Jackson Academy Senior Eagle Scouts. They all started Cub Scouts together and made a pact among themselves and their fathers to not drop out until they had earned their Eagle Scout ranking and this was accomplished. All except one had their Eagle Scout ranking before the age of 16; and

WHEREAS, being an Eagle Scout teaches you life skills: 64% of Air Force Academy graduates were Scouts; 63% of West Point graduates were Scouts; 77% of Annapolis graduates were Scouts; 72% of all Rhodes Scholars were Scouts; 85% of all FBI agents were 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, among the Jackson Academy projects were a coat drive for City Church, improvements at Catholic Charities, new campsites at LeFleur's Bluff State Park, benches for Anne Smith Elementary, a concession stand and tables for Little Light House, landscaping at Mission First, grounds cleaning and storage organization at Matt's House, support to Magnolia Speech School, and a map including a complete record book of graves for Madison United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy Senior Eagle Scouts are: Kent McNamara, Bryan Sumner, Wade Chesney, Luke Ross, Hunter Berry, Reed Galloway, Grady Fisher, Wesley Rule, Wyatt Powell, Reid Watson, Daniel Fletcher, Will Laird, Blake Mills, Curt Knight, Davis Guild, Phillip Talley and Garner Cheney; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these young Mississippians, whose dedication to the traditions of scouting, self-discipline, determination and leadership demonstrate a dedication to citizenship and patriotism:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate the 17 Eagle Scouts from the 2014-2015 Senior Class at Jackson Academy, commend the rich scouting tradition at this excellent institution and wish these young men continued success in their future scouting, academic and civic service endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the 17 Jackson Academy Scouts and their families, to the Troop Scoutmaster, to the Headmaster of Jackson Academy, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.