| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3673 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 959 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representatives Willis of the 55 |
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| 4 | 4 | | th |
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| 5 | 5 | | and Dickey of the 134 |
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| 6 | 6 | | th |
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| 7 | 7 | | |
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| 8 | 8 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 9 | 9 | | Recognizing and commending Kendall Rae Johnson; and for other purposes. |
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| 10 | 10 | | 1 |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Kendall Rae Johnson, a trailblazer in urban farming and food sustainability, has2 |
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| 12 | 12 | | made history as the youngest certified farmer in the United States, achieving this remarkable3 |
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| 13 | 13 | | feat at just nine years old; and4 |
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| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Kendall Rae's passion for agriculture began5 |
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| 15 | 15 | | at the age of three, inspired by the enduring wisdom of her late great-grandmother, Laura6 |
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| 16 | 16 | | "Kate" Williams, who encouraged her to "put collard greens back in the dirt"; and7 |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, what began with a small patio garden has since grown into a flourishing urban8 |
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| 18 | 18 | | farming initiative, through which Kendall Rae cultivates cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and9 |
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| 19 | 19 | | her signature collard greens, all while encouraging thousands of young people across the10 |
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| 20 | 20 | | country to embrace agriculture as a pathway to entrepreneurship and sustainability; and11 |
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| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, as the founder of Kendall Rae's Green Heart Non-Profit Organization, she has12 |
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| 22 | 22 | | empowered more than 400 students and supported over 54 youth entrepreneurs through13 |
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| 23 | 23 | | agricultural education, sustainability programs, and business mentorship; and14 |
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| 24 | 24 | | H. R. 959 |
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| 25 | 25 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3673 |
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| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, Kendall Rae continues to break barriers as the first-ever United States |
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| 27 | 27 | | 15 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Department of Agriculture Urban Agriculture Youth Ambassador, using her platform to16 |
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| 29 | 29 | | advocate for food sustainability, youth empowerment, and increased access to agricultural17 |
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| 30 | 30 | | opportunities; and18 |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, in her role as USDA Youth Ambassador, she will embark on the 189019 |
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| 32 | 32 | | Land-Grant University Tour in partnership with USDA's NUag and Virginia State20 |
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| 33 | 33 | | University, promoting financial literacy, urban farming practices, USDA youth loans, and21 |
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| 34 | 34 | | career pathways in agriculture at historically Black colleges and universities; and22 |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, she is also the author of the acclaimed children's book I'm Growing Places,23 |
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| 36 | 36 | | which encourages young readers to engage in gardening, farming, and entrepreneurship, and24 |
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| 37 | 37 | | she recently launched Kraezy Good Tomato Sauce – Easy Kid Cooking to promote healthy25 |
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| 38 | 38 | | eating in a fun, accessible way; and26 |
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| 39 | 39 | | WHEREAS, Kendall Rae Johnson continues to nurture the next generation of farmers,27 |
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| 40 | 40 | | entrepreneurs, and environmental leaders, making it abundantly fitting and proper that she28 |
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| 41 | 41 | | be appropriately honored during this special time.29 |
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| 42 | 42 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that30 |
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| 43 | 43 | | the members of this body recognize and commend Kendall Rae Johnson for her31 |
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| 44 | 44 | | groundbreaking contributions to agriculture, youth development, and entrepreneurship as32 |
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| 45 | 45 | | well as extend best wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.33 |
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| 46 | 46 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized34 |
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| 47 | 47 | | and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to35 |
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| 48 | 48 | | Kendall Rae Johnson.36 |
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| 49 | 49 | | H. R. 959 |
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| 50 | 50 | | - 2 - |
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