HLS 23RS-4126 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 279
BY REPRESENTATIVE PRESSLY
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates Scholar
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates Scholar.
3 WHEREAS, Jaylen Pruiett is a distinguished scholar and graduate of Captain Shreve
4High School who was recently named a 2023 Gates Scholar after participating in the Bobbie
5Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) program; and
6 WHEREAS, at the SMART program, Jaylen interned under the guidance of
7Dr. Diana Cruz-Topete at Louisiana State University at Shreveport to study "Sex Differences
8in the Effects of Mental Stress on Myocardial Infarction"; Building our Regions Future of
9Shreveport initially launched the SMART program for a small number of academically
10advanced high school seniors from Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes to provide a year-
11long research experience; it is funded by donations from the late Bobbie Cates Hicks, the
12Bruce J. Heim Foundation, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana's Give for Good
13donors, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana's William C. Woolf Fund, and the
14Magale Foundation; and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Pruiett was one of seven hundred fifty-nine American students who
16were selected out of fifty-one thousand applicants for the prestigious and highly-selective
17scholarship, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; as a 2023 Gates
18Scholar, he has displayed outstanding academic achievement and exceptional personal
19success skills and demonstrated leadership ability; and
20 WHEREAS, at Captain Shreve High School, Jaylen was involved in numerous
21extracurricular activities including the Louisiana Association of Student Councils, Top
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-4126 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 279
1Teens of America, Captain Shreve Student Council, Key Club, Youth Advocacy Team, Mu
2Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Black Studies Association, and the Fellowship of
3Christian Athletes; and
4 WHEREAS, Jaylen is a founding member of Swamp Medics, which is the largest
5club at Captain Shreve High School, with more than one hundred fifty members; he is a truly
6inspiring young man who is deserving of the highest recognition for his outstanding
7achievements.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
9Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates
10Scholar and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that he continue to prosper in all of his
11endeavors.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 279 Original 2023 Regular Session Pressly
Commends Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates Scholar.
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