HR217INTRODUCED
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HR217
6YAY51Z-1
By Representative Mooney
RFD:
First Read: 08-Apr-25
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5 6YAY51Z-1 04/07/2025 NG (L)NG 2025-1511
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First Read: 08-Apr-25
HR____ COMMENDING BENJAMIN WORTHAM ON BEING NAMED AN ALABAMA
PUBLIC TELEVISION 2025 YOUNG HERO.
WHEREAS, since 2001, Alabama Public Television has
honored those young heroes who have made their schools and
communities better places; Benjamin Wortham of Madison,
Alabama, is well-deserving of that recognition; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Wortham, a sophomore at James
Clemens High School in Madison, is a remarkable young man
who embodies resilience, talent, and a deep-seated empathy;
maintaining a 3.7 GPA, Ben demonstrates a strong commitment
to his academic success while simultaneously excelling in
music, art, and photography; and
WHEREAS, Ben's artistic talents are undeniable; he is
a member of the archery team, the Competition Marching Band,
the Symphonic Band, and the Honor Band; he sat first chair
clarinet in his middle school band and received the
"Outstanding Woodwind Award" in 8th grade; he has won and
placed multiple times, including a remarkable sweep in 2021,
where he won first place at the school, district, and state
levels in six categories, culminating in a first-place
national win for his clarinet composition; this year, he
again placed first at James Clemens High School in both
photography and music composition for the competition;
beyond his artistic pursuits, Ben actively contributes to
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beyond his artistic pursuits, Ben actively contributes to
his community; he has volunteered with Toys 4 Tots, works
part-time in his family's bakery, and serves as an intern
for the youth orchestra; and
WHEREAS, Ben's journey is all the more inspiring
considering the significant adversities he has overcome;
born dead with an APGAR score of 0, he was resuscitated at
birth and diagnosed with autism and Global Cerebral Atrophy,
resulting in missing part of his brain, poor muscle tone,
and vision and hearing impairments; his first pediatrician
offered a grim prognosis, believing he would not survive
past four months; however, Ben defied all expectations;
through extensive therapy with Alabama Early Intervention,
the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama
Rehabilitation Services, and the Huntsville UCP Center,
along with dedicated home therapy from his parents, he
learned to talk, sit, and walk; and
WHEREAS, Ben's educational journey has been equally
remarkable; he participated in the Developmental Pre-K
Program and transitioned successfully to a regular
kindergarten class; as a special needs student with an IEP,
he has utilized assistive devices like "Talk to Text" and
receives oral tests and book readings; his teachers have
noted his exceptional aptitude for math, attributing it to
his acute listening skills developed as a result of his
vision and reading challenges; his middle school math
teacher observed that Ben often solves problems mentally
before others can write them down; and
WHEREAS, Ben's story is one of triumph over
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WHEREAS, Ben's story is one of triumph over
adversity; he transforms his challenges into opportunities
to model empathy and understanding; open about his
conditions, he encourages his peers to ask questions about
autism and Global Cerebral Atrophy, fostering a more
inclusive and accepting environment; despite facing teasing
and prejudice, Ben responds with kindness and understanding;
he is a powerful example of perseverance, proving that
special needs students are capable of achieving and
exceeding expectations; Benjamin Wortham is a testament to
the power of the human spirit and a truly deserving
candidate for recognition as a Young Hero; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That with great pride and special
pleasure Benjamin Wortham is heartily commended on being
named one of Alabama Public Television's Young Heroes of
2025, and best wishes are extended in all future endeavors.
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