WHEREAS, Joshua King, a student at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, received the Wooden Citizenship Cup from Athletes for a Better World in 2022; and

WHEREAS, Joshua "Josh" King was the male collegiate recipient of the Wooden Citizenship Cup, which recognizes six athletes each year for demonstrating exceptional character, teamwork, and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Josh King is a native of the Commonwealth who spent most of his life growing up in Haymarket, where he attended Battlefield High School, and his congressional nomination to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy was received by United States Senator Timothy M. Kaine; and

WHEREAS, Josh King has achieved academic excellence at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, earning a 3.73 grade point average while serving as regimental commander, the institution's highest student position; and

WHEREAS, Josh King has pursued his aspirations to be an officer in the United States Coast Guard by participating in internships at sea around the world; and

WHEREAS, an all-conference linebacker and captain of the United States Merchant Marine Academy football team, Josh King was a 2022 finalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy for his combined success in both the classroom and on the gridiron; and

WHEREAS, Josh King is a proven leader who has served his community as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and vice president of the Cultural Diversity Club at the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and

WHEREAS, Josh King has fostered community dialogue and mutual understanding by organizing peaceful Black Lives Matter marches attended by activists, law-enforcement officers, and religious leaders, while participating as a guest speaker at anti-racism events; and

WHEREAS, upon graduation, Josh King will be serving his country as a direct commission engineer in the United States Coast Guard and pursuing a spot as a member of the United States Coast Guard special forces; he will be commissioned this summer and will report to the Direct Commission Officer program in New London, Connecticut, in August; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Joshua King hereby be commended for receiving the 2022 Wooden Citizenship Cup from Athletes for a Better World; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Joshua King as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his noteworthy achievement and many contributions to the Commonwealth.