24200297D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 769 Offered June 27, 2024 Commending Brynn Van Brunt. ----------
Patrons-- Tran, Anthony, Bennett-Parker, Carr, Cohen, Convirs-Fowler, Cousins, Delaney, Gardner, Glass, Herring, Keys-Gamarra, Laufer, LeVere Bolling, Maldonado, McClure, McQuinn, Mundon King, Price, Reaser, Seibold, Sewell, Shin, Simonds, Ward and Watts
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WHEREAS, Brynn Van Brunt, a resident of North Springfield, was recently awarded the Bronze Cross by the Girl Scouts of the USA for her heroism when she put herself in extraordinary danger to save another person's life; and

WHEREAS, Brynn Van Brunt is a student at Ravensworth Elementary School, a member of the Ravensworth Farm Swim and Dive team, and a Girl Scout with Troop 55053 in North Springfield, where she recently bridged from Juniors to Cadettes; and

WHEREAS, the Girl Scout Bronze Cross is one of only two Lifesaving Awards reserved for Girl Scouts who perform heroic acts beyond the degree of maturity and training to be expected at their age to save or attempt to save another person's life; and

WHEREAS, the Girl Scout Bronze Cross is awarded to Girl Scouts who put themselves into extraordinary danger to save another person's life and is awarded only after a Girl Scout's local council and the national organization determine that the act merits the honor; and

WHEREAS, as a Girl Scout, Brynn Van Brunt is resourceful, skilled, and competent in a variety of practical skills; she is expected to have good presence of mind and to be of service to others, fulfilling the Girl Scout Promise and Law; and

WHEREAS, in April 2023, Brynn Van Brunt and her friend, Emilia Brandenburg, were boogie boarding in the Gulf of Mexico while on a family vacation when they heard calls from a woman in distress; and

WHEREAS, upon hearing the calls of distress, Brynn Van Brunt and Emilia Brandenburg immediately swam into a rip current to offer assistance, finding the woman, Pam Hazel, nearly exhausted and in dire need of help; and

WHEREAS, after 17 minutes of intrepid effort, during which the girls drew on their knowledge of swimming techniques and attempted various, creative options to return to shore, Brynn Van Brunt and Emilia Brandenburg brought Pam Hazel safely to dry land just as emergency services arrived on the beach; and

WHEREAS, Brynn Van Brunt is now an assistant swimming coach at Ravensworth Pool and Racquet Club, where she teaches basic water safety skills to toddlers and new swimmers, and has also signed up to teach first aid to her fellow Girl Scouts; and

WHEREAS, Brynn Van Brunt exemplified the Girl Scout Promise and Law by rescuing a stranger's life in her time of need; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Brynn Van Brunt, a meritorious member of Girl Scout Troop 55053, hereby be commended on the occasion of her selection as a recipient of the Girl Scout Bronze Cross; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Brynn Van Brunt as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her heroism and selfless actions to preserve the life of a stranger.