Memorials, Recognition - Rhonda Longmire, Great Smoky Mountain Council Good Scout Award -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Ceremonial resolution congratulates Miss Prestley Skelton for winning the 2025 Alabama Department Oratorical Contest and advancing to the national finals.

Signed by Governor.

#memorials #recognition

HJR 255 — Miss Prestley Skelton, congratulated

Overview

HJR 255 is a ceremonial joint resolution congratulating Miss Prestley Skelton for winning the 2025 American Legion Department of Alabama Oratorical Contest. The bill is a non-binding resolution, recognizing and applauding her achievement and wishing her continued success.

Purpose and Intent

Acknowledges Miss Prestley Skelton’s victory in the 2025 American Legion Department of Alabama Oratorical Contest.

Highlights the contest’s role in promoting knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and civic duties.

Commends Skelton’s achievements at multiple competition levels and notes the scholarships associated with the contest.

States the Legislature’s support and best wishes for her future endeavors.

Key Provisions

Conveys high commendations from the Legislature to Miss Prestley Skelton for winning the 2025 Alabama Department Oratorical Contest.

Describes the contest framework (8-10 minute prepared oration on a constitutional topic, plus a 3-5 minute assigned topic).

Identifies Skelton’s prepared topic, “Defending the Constitution to Keep Our Freedoms,” and her assigned topic, “Amendment XIV, Section 1.”

Notes the scholarship awards: $2,500 for first place at the Alabama Department level.

Announces Skelton’s representation of the Alabama Department at the 2025 National High School Oratorical Contest Finals at Hillsdale College, Michigan (May 17-18, 2025), where up to 55 participants compete for a national prize of $25,000.

Concludes with a formal resolution: the Legislature, in concurring, extends its highest commendations and wishes for continued success.

Who/What Is Affected

Individuals: Miss Prestley Skelton (11th-grade student at Jasper High School).

Organizations: The Alabama American Legion and its Oratorical Contest participants.

Government: The Alabama Legislature (as the entity issuing the ceremonial recognition).

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: April 15, 2025.

House actions: Referred to House Rules (April 15); reported out of House Rules; House of Origin action completed (April 22–April 15 range indications show activity); Lovvorn motion to adopt in Senate Rules (April 22) and adoption by voice vote.

Senate actions: Received in Senate and referred to Senate Rules (April 22); Rules committee action completed (April 22); subsequently reported out of committee in the second house (May 8, 2025 status: Reported Out of Committee in the Second House).

Status: Reported Out of Committee in the Second House (Senate) as of May 8, 2025.

Impact and Notes

This is a ceremonial resolution with no binding fiscal or policy changes.

Serves to publicly recognize a student achievement and may reflect positively on the participant and community engagement with civic education.

No changes to statutes or state law are proposed; the text focuses on commendation and best wishes.