MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Oliver, Scott, Aguirre, Barnett, Bell (21st), Clark, Currie, Evans (45th), Faulkner, Gibbs (36th), Guice, Hale, Haney, Hood, Horne, Mangold, Massengill, McCarty, Morgan, Pigott, Roberson, Rushing, Smith, Tullos, Wallace, Yancey, Lancaster
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING EAGLE SCOUT JAMES ARMSTRONG ON EARNING 138 SCOUT MERIT BADGES, WHICH IS EVERY MERIT BADGE THAT THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA OFFERS AND THE MOST MERIT BADGES EARNED BY A PERSON IN THE HISTORY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.
WHEREAS, James Armstrong, of Vaiden, Mississippi, and an Eagle Scout since 2016, has earned 138 scout merit badges, which is every merit badge offered by the Boy Scouts of America and the most merit badges earned by a person in the history of the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated scout, James has been a member of the Scouts since beginning his scouting career in the Cub Scouts in 2008, from which he began his steady and persistent progress through the Scouts rising to the rank of Boy Scout in 2013, and continuing to earn merit badges until earning 91 merit badges when he became an Eagle Scout at age 14 in 2016; and
WHEREAS, after becoming an Eagle Scout, James continued to earn merit badges such as Aviation, Chemistry and Robotics until he earned his 138th merit badge, which was in scuba diving and required specialized training and travel to achieve, and among the many projects James completed during his scouting career, his Eagle project was replacing a gravel path to the Christ's Cross at the Crossroads in Winona, Mississippi, with a seven foot concrete ramp with handrails following Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines; and
WHEREAS, among his numerous scouting awards and various leadership positions, James has also earned the Order of Arrow Brotherhood which is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America, and throughout the way he has demonstrated Scout spirit through the Scout Oath and Scout Law, service and leadership; and
WHEREAS, James Armstrong's time as a Scout will come to an end when he reaches 18 years of age on April 6, 2020, with him having done everything he could have done as a Boy Scout and having done what no other Boy Scout has done by earning 138 merit badges; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being a one of a kind Boy Scout, James is also an outstanding student at Winona High School, where he is on the A Honor Roll and taking dual enrollment classes through Holmes Community College, has a perfect attendance record and is a member of the National Beta Club, Super Scholars, Mu Alpha Theta, SkillsUSA, National Art Honors Society, Superintendent's Advisory Council and National Society for High School Scholars; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from high school in May 2020, James plans to continue his education at Holmes Community College for two years before heading to Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in engineering; and
WHEREAS, James is a member of Vaiden Baptist Church and also involved with many community activities such as Veterans Day ceremonies, Flag Day ceremonies, Easter Service at Christ's Cross at the Crossroads, Blue Star Dedication in Winona and Kilmichael, the Christmas party at Winona Manor Nursing Home and Christmas Parades in Vaiden, Kilmichael, Winona and Carrollton; and
WHEREAS, James is the son of Tim and Bobbie Armstrong who have helped him in many ways during his time as a Scout and a young man and he is the grandson of Johnnie and Purvie Weeks of Pearl, Mississippi, and Joyce Armstrong and the late Joe Armstrong of Vaiden, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, as evidenced by his incredible achievements as a Boy Scout, academic success and community involvement and service to others, James Armstrong demonstrates his determination to prepare himself for a meaningful and productive role as a leader in society and making the world around him the best he can and he will become a great asset, not only for the State of Mississippi, but also for the United States; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the best and brightest of Mississippi's youth, especially those such as James Armstrong, who has done everything he could have done as a Boy Scout and done what no other Boy Scout has done by earning 138 merit badges and in doing so, brought honor to his family, community and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate James Armstrong on earning 138 merit badges during his outstanding career as a Boy Scout, and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of James Armstrong and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.