South Carolina H 5541: Sgt. Maj. Francis Lawton National Young Marine of the Year 2026-2027

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5541 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 16, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5541

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR FRANCIS ASBURY "QUINN" LAWTON 
V OF HAMPTON COUNTY, SERGEANT MAJOR IN THE UPSTATE YOUNG MARINE UNIT AND TO 
CONGRATULATE HIM UPON BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL YOUNG MARINE OF THE YEAR FOR 
2026-2027.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives are proud to learn that Francis Asbury 
"Quinn" Lawton V has been named the 2026-2027 National Young Marine of the Year, 
a coveted title among Young Marines; and

Whereas, National Young 
Marine of the Year, the highest honor a Young Marine can earn, is a title 
reserved for those who lead with integrity, inspire others, and represent the 
very best of the program. Each year, one exceptional Young Marine is chosen as 
the National Young Marine of the Year (NYMOY) in recognition of outstanding 
leadership, academic achievement, personal conduct, physical fitness, and a 
strong commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle; and

Whereas, Sergeant Major 
Lawton was named Division 2 Young Marine of the Year for 2025-2026. The NYMOY 
is selected from six Division Young Marines of the Year, each representing one 
of the Young Marines' six geographic divisions across the United States; and

Whereas, devoted to his 
Young Marine unit's drills and other unit events twice a month, he balances his 
schoolwork, sports, and church activities successfully and excels in them all; 
and

Whereas, to be 
considered for NYMOY, candidates must meet rigorous standards, including graduation 
from Advanced Leadership School at the National Leadership Academy, high 
academic performance, strong physical fitness and personal discipline, active 
participation in service and mentoring within their unit, regiment, and 
division; and

Whereas, once selected, 
the National Young Marine of the Year serves as the official youth ambassador 
for the entire organization. This role is more than symbolic; it has an active 
and far-reaching impact; and

Whereas, as the NYMOY 
for 2026-2027, Sergeant Major Lawton will travel nationally and internationally 
to represent the Young Marines at leadership conferences, ceremonies, and 
public events; to visit and motivate other units across the country; and to serve 
as a role model, mentor, and voice for Young Marines nationwide; and

Whereas, he will participate 
in major commemorations, such as the Reunion of Honor on Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor 
Remembrance Day in Hawaii, and National Navajo Code Talkers Day in Arizona; and

Whereas, this honor 
reflects not just past achievements, but the strength of character, maturity, 
and leadership potential that define the best of what it means to be a Young 
Marine, and the South Carolina House of Representatives realizes that the 
selection of Quinn Lawton brings great honor to the State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Francis Asbury "Quinn" Lawton V of 
Hampton County, Sergeant Major in the Upstate Young Marine Unit, and 
congratulate him upon being named the National Young Marine of the Year for 
2026-2027.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Sergeant Major Francis Asbury 
"Quinn" Lawton V.

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This web page was last updated on April 16, 2026 at 10:53 AM