2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 218
BY SENATOR ERDEY
A RESOLUTION
To commend Joshua Ballard upon earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend and celebrate the accomplishments of
Joshua Ballard of Boy Scouts of America Troop 42 on the memorable and historic occasion
of his attainment of the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Boy Scouts of America, founded on February 8, 1910,
and chartered by the United States Congress in 1916, is to provide an educational program
for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating
in citizenship, and to develop personal fitness; and
WHEREAS, to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting, a Boy
Scout must fulfill all requirements of leadership, service, and outdoor skills; an Eagle Scout
must earn twenty-one merit badges which signify the mastery of Scouting skills, including
Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World; and
WHEREAS, Joshua earned a total of thirty-three merit badges and earned his Firem'n
Chit and Totin' Chip; and
WHEREAS, his Eagle project was restoring the Kids Korner playground that flooded
during Louisiana's Great Flood of 2016; and
WHEREAS, only a small percentage of Boy Scouts attain the Eagle Scout rank; it
takes a uniquely motivated man to achieve the five important responsibilities of an Eagle
Scout, which are honor, loyalty, courage, cheer, and service to God and country, and Joshua
Ballard embodies these ideals; and
WHEREAS, presented with his Eagle Scout badge, Joshua Ballard joins the ranks
of esteemed and respected Eagle Scouts such as the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, the
thirty-eighth president of the United States; Captain James Lovell, the commander of the
Apollo 13 space flight; Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon; acclaimed
filmmaker Steven Spielberg; and Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft; and
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WHEREAS, the legacy of the Boy Scouts is indeed a rich one, for it not only
includes a history of service and proud citizenship which spans a century, but it also includes
the history of service and singular accomplishments of Joshua Ballard, a young man to be
recognized and commended by future Eagle Scouts and his community for the deep human
values and genuine spirit of good fellowship that he inspires.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and honor Joshua Ballard on the historic occasion of his attainment
of the rank of Eagle Scout; does hereby express utmost gratitude and respect for the
exemplary strides he has taken as a Scout and a citizen; does hereby congratulate Joshua
Ballard and the members and leaders of Troop 42 as they commemorate the significant event
of Mr. Ballard's pledge of eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout; and does hereby
extend best wishes to Joshua Ballard for full measures of happiness and success in all of his
future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Joshua Ballard.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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