Governor Kay Ivey took time in her final State of the State address Tuesday night to recognize Huntsville native Rodney Smith Jr., even urging President Donald Trump to allow the inventor of a 50-state lawn care service mission to the White House.
Smith, founder of the nonprofit Raising Men Lawn Care Service, was recognized during the address, and received a standing ovation from lawmakers and state officials.
“In Alabama, we love America. We respect our military and honor our veterans,” Ivey said. “Look no further than Alabama’s own Rodney Smith.”
Ivey recounted how Smith’s national service movement began in 2015 while he was a computer science student at Alabama A&M University, when he stopped to help an elderly man mow his lawn. What began as a single act of kindness, she said, has since grown into a 50-state mission focused on providing free lawn care to veterans and the elderly.
“That one-time gesture turned into a 50-state mission to mow lawns across our country with a focus on helping the men and women who served our nation, our veterans,” Ivey said.
Smith’s work has expanded through the 50 Yard Challenge, which Ivey said has inspired more than 6,000 young people nationwide to serve their communities by mowing lawns for veterans, military families and first responders.
“Rodney is teaching our young people valuable lessons while providing free help to our veterans, military families and first responders,” she said.
Ivey also highlighted a personal detail that drew smiles from the audience, noting Smith shares a birthday with the nation.
“It should come to no surprise to us that Rodney shares a birthday with America on July the 4th,” she said.
While Smith is scheduled to mow grass on the Capitol grounds this spring, Ivey said his larger goal lies beyond Montgomery.
“I’m excited to share that Rodney will be mowing some of the grass here at the Capitol this spring, but his real dream is to provide his service at the White House,” Ivey said. “So here tonight, I’m encouraging President Trump to invite Rodney to our nation’s capital.
“Goodness knows Washington, D.C., could use a little more Alabama.”
Ivey thanked Smith for representing the state on a national stage in earnest.
“Rodney, thank you for showing the rest of America that Alabama patriotic spirit,” she said.
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