S*1454 Resolution, By Williams
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE CAMP BENNETTSVILLE UPON
 RECEIVING A NATIONAL CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARD.

   06/05/08  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-21

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE CAMP BENNETTSVILLE UPON RECEIVING A NATIONAL CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARD.

Whereas, Camp Bennettsville has been awarded a Character Education Partnership, National Schools of Character, Promising Practice Award from the Washington, D.C. based Character Education Partnership; and

Whereas, Camp Bennettsville, a division of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Wilderness Institute, is not only one out of nine high school institutions in the nation to receive this recognition, but also the only Juvenile Justice "Wildness Camp" nationwide to receive this prestigious national character education award; and

Whereas, the character education practice implemented at Camp Bennettsville is entitled "Mentoring from the Inside Out and Back." This practice is a result of collaboration between the cadre and cadets of the Marlboro County HS Army JROTC Department, the cadets of the JROTC program at Camp Bennettsville, and the Upsilon Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; and

Whereas, the 25 young cadets at Camp Bennettsville, who range in age from 14 to 17, have been incarcerated due to armed robbery, theft, sales and distribution of drugs, and gang-related activities; and

Whereas, it is considered a privilege, rather than a right, to belong to and participate in the JROTC program at Camp Bennettsville; and

Whereas, the Camp Bennettsville cadets' display of outstanding character and leadership have contributed greatly to the surrounding community through speaking engagements to high school regular education classes on ethical and moral lessons learned; and

Whereas, the Camp Bennettsville cadets are setting an example for all students because they are showing that former gang members can work together to promote good character. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Camp Bennettsville and its cadets upon receiving a national Character Education Award.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Camp Bennettsville.