SENATE RESOLUTION 50

(By Senators Sypolt, Smith, Prezioso, Stollings, Plymale and Beach)

[Introduced March 23, 2017]

Commemorating the 25th anniversary for the national and state ChalleNGe Program for at-risk youth.

Whereas, During the late 1980s, the Rockefeller Foundation identified the need in our country to provide opportunities for young people working to overcome problems in their lives that include educationally at-risk teens; and

Whereas, In 1991, the Joint Armed Services Committee directed the National Guard to develop a plan to “add value to America” by providing values, skills, education and self-discipline to young people incorporating the structure and esprit de corps found in the military model; and

Whereas, The National Youth ChalleNGe program began operating in 1993 under Public Law 102-484; and

Whereas, The mission of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is to train and mentor selected at-risk youth to become contributing members of society using the 8 Core Components in a quasi-military environment; and

Whereas, The year 2017 marks the 25th anniversary for the national and state ChalleNGe Program for at-risk youth and West Virginia is proud to be one of the original programs; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby commemorates the 25th anniversary for the national and state ChalleNGe Program for at-risk youth; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends it sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy for its dedication and commitment to our at-risk youth; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy.