Senate Resolution No. 4474

BY: Senator LAVALLE

CONGRATULATING John Patrick Ewald upon the
occasion of receiving the distinguished rank of
Eagle Scout, the most prestigious of Scouting
honors, on April 29, 2018

WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald, through his diligence and rigorous
efforts, has achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious rank,
Eagle Scout; the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony will be held on Sunday,
April 29, 2018, at the Middle Island Fire Department, Middle Island, New
York; and

WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald is a member of Boy Scouts of America
Troop 433 of Middle Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and

WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to
the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation;
and

WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned
by only four percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of
Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting
for many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all
of the necessary achievements, including completion of a community
service project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed;
and

WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald's project benefitted the Swezey Avey
House in Yaphank, New York; the house and property sits next to the
Yaphank Lake, and was once used as a mill; a few years ago the town
dredged the lake and found logs from this mill and gave them to the
Yaphank Historical Society to put on display for the public; the
President of the Historical Society, Robert Kessler, told John the story
and suggested he build a proper display for the logs; and

WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald, with the help of many scouts, friends,
and family members, made three concrete curbs in a row about 10 feet
apart parallel to each other; under his direction the group needed to
rent a concrete mixer, build forms, level the forms, and place rebar for
the appropriate strength to have five big logs sit on top; they then
built a two rail fence they painted white around the forms with a gate
and placed a natural mulch bedding around the forms; in the end, the
President used his forklift to place the logs in the brand new display
for the community to appreciate and enjoy; and

WHEREAS, John Patrick Ewald's perseverance in rising through the
ranks to Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master
difficult tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a
leader, fully equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex
society; and

WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school,
his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor John Patrick Ewald on achieving the rank of Eagle
Scout; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Patrick Ewald.