Assembly Resolution No. 69

BY: M. of A. Cusick

COMMENDING the Boy Scouts of America upon the
occasion of celebrating Founder's Day on February
22, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the youth
of today, and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best
exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and
Nation; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and its members are
dedicated to the development of character and leadership in the youth of
this Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating
Founder's Day on Friday, February 22, 2019; and

WHEREAS, On June 15, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill,
passed with unanimous consent in both houses of Congress, granting
federal incorporation to the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on
February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide an
educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to
train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to
develop personal fitness; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America is part of the international
Scout Movement, and became a founding member organization of the World
Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922; and

WHEREAS, Worldwide, in nearly all Scouting associations, Founder's
Day is celebrated on February 22nd, the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell,
the founder of Scouting, and coincidentally also of his wife, Olave
Baden-Powell; and

WHEREAS, Until his death in 1941, Robert Baden-Powell worked
tirelessly to support the world Scout movement; today, more than a
century and a half since his birth, that indelible imprint has grown
exponentially; and

WHEREAS, Community-based organizations receive national charters to
use the Scouting program as a part of their own youth work; these
groups, which have goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of
America include: religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business,
labor organizations, governmental bodies, corporations, professional
associations, and citizens' groups; and

WHEREAS, Scouting and exploring programs develop excellence in young
people by building their character, values, and self-confidence so they
can become our next generation of leaders; and

WHEREAS, There are various programs and phases within the Boy Scouts
of America, including: Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy
Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing; and

WHEREAS, The Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society,
recognizes those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law
in their daily lives; the Order has local lodge, section, and national
meetings; Scouts who have become Eagle Scouts, the highest advancement
award in Scouting, may join the National Eagle Scout Association; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest
Scouting organizations and youth organizations in the United States,
with more than 2.4 million youth participants and nearly one million
adult volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Boy Scouts of America
prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America have so manifestly contributed to
the preservation of those treasured ideals of compassion, honor,
preparedness and concern for others which are so paradigmatic of our
American Heritage; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating
Founder's Day on February 22, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Boy Scouts of America.