Bill Text: MS SC575 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend Joshua Prochaska for winning the 2013 Mississippi Prudential Spirit of Community Award as Top Youth Volunteer.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC575 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC575-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hale, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Watson, Jackson (32nd)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 575
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SENATOBIA VERITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL 7TH GRADER JOSHUA PROCHASKA OF SENATOBIA, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE 2013 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD AS A TOP YOUTH VOLUNTEER.
WHEREAS, Joshua Prochaska, a 7th Grader at Veritas Classical School in Senatobia, Mississippi, was named Mississippi's Top Youth Volunteer of 2013 by the 18th Annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Joshua was nominated by the Veritas School in Senatobia; and
WHEREAS, this prestigious award, now in its 18th year, presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities; and
WHEREAS, Joshua organized and funded the installation of a new tile floor in a large meeting room at his local library. "We often frequent the libraries in our area and I appreciate very much what a superb library system we have in North Mississippi," said Joshua. Several years ago, he learned from the Head Librarian at the Senatobia Public Library that the floor of the library's meeting room needed to be redone. Joshua was too young to do anything about it at the time, but a few years later, as he was working toward his Boy Scout Eagle Award, he told the Librarian he was ready to tackle the project. "I believed it was a very important project for our community because of the sheer number of people who use the facility's meeting room," he said; and
WHEREAS, Joshua asked local merchants to donate some supplies, and purchased the rest with funds solicited from community members. He then recruited friends, relatives, fellow Boy Scouts and an expert tile craftsman to help. Together, they pulled out the old carpeting from the 922-square-foot room, prepped the floor, laid the tile and applied grout, and installed new cove base at the bottom of the walls. The new floor "brightens the room tremendously," said Joshua, and is easily cleaned, making it much more suitable for refreshments and crafts. "It continually makes me feel good about volunteering when I receive compliments and appreciation from people about the project. Volunteering is not only fulfilling to me personally, but it is crucial to making the community a better place to be"; and
WHEREAS, as a State Honoree, Joshua will receive $1,000.00, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where he will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's Top Youth Volunteers of 2013; and
WHEREAS, "Prudential is proud to honor these students for making meaningful contributions to their communities," said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. "We hope that shining a spotlight on their initiative, creativity and compassion inspires others to consider how they, too, can make a difference"; and
WHEREAS, all public and private middle-level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, Camp Fire USA councils and volunteer centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award this past November. Local honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth; and
WHEREAS, the success of the State of Mississippi, the strength of our communities and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of young people like Joshua, who use their considerable talents and resources to serve others:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Senatobia Veritas Classical School 7th Grader Joshua Prochaska of Senatobia, Mississippi, upon his receipt of the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Award as a Top Youth Volunteer, and recognize his outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leadership and community spirit, and extend to Joshua and his family the best wishes for success in his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Joshua and his family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
