House Resolution 179

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE TOMBIGBEE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND CONGRATULATING SETH AND LEVI BURNETT OF MONROE COUNTY FOR THEIR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP MADE EVIDENT IN THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES.

WHEREAS, the National Society of the Daughters of the America Revolution, (DAR), is a national patriotic service organization that includes, as one of its many civic projects, an annual historical essay competition for students in Grades 5 through 12; and

WHEREAS, beginning at the local DAR Chapter level, the competition of uniform essay topics, which are novel, motivating and uniquely thought provoking, then moves upward with winners advancing through competitions at the state and regional divisions before finally culminating at the national level in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, a family in Monroe County has provided participants in these competitions over several years at two generational levels; and

WHEREAS, Seth Burnett, now an 8th Grader at the Hamilton Attendance Center, has demonstrated consistent writing skills for the past three years, beginning with his participation as a 6th Grader in 2021, winning both the local chapter award and the State of Mississippi award; as a 7th Grader in 2022, again winning the local chapter award and placing third in the state competition; and during the 2023 year of competition, Seth won his third local chapter competition award; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, his first year of being eligible to participate in this competition, Seth's younger brother, Levi, currently in the 5th Grade at the Hamilton Attendance Center, showcasing his exceptional talent, won both the local chapter award and the State of Mississippi award to proceed to the 2023 regional competition; and

WHEREAS, giving undeniable validation of the adage, "an apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Seth and Levi's father, Micah Burnett, now a teacher and coach in the Aberdeen School District, was a DAR essay competition winner when he was a young student; and

WHEREAS, demonstrating their academic versatility, Seth and Levi are consistent members of their school's honor roll, and have been recognized as top readers in the Hamilton Public Library's summer reading programs; and

WHEREAS, as a 5th Grader, in 2020, Seth won the Monroe County Spelling Bee and advanced to the Mississippi Spelling Bee, which was aired on Mississippi Public Broadcasting; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when demonstrated in the successful academic prowess of our state's youth:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby express our appreciation to the Tombigbee Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for sponsoring educational opportunities such as the American History Essay Competition, congratulates Seth and Levi Burnett for their outstanding achievements and successes through their participation in these annual competitions, and extend best wishes to all for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Tombigbee Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Seth Burnett, Levi Burnett and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.