Senate Resolution No. 304

BY: Senator WALCZYK

COMMENDING Scouting America upon the occasion of
celebrating its 115th Anniversary on February 8,
2025

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
youth of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Scouting America upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th
Anniversary on Saturday, February 8, 2025; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in Silver Bay,
New York, on February 8, 1910; founders, William D. Boyce, Ernest
Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and James E. West, were inspired by
the teachings of Lord Robert Baden-Powell's scouting program which had
begun two years earlier in England; the BSA successfully lobbied for a
federal charter which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on June 15,
1916; and

WHEREAS, In 1922, the Boy Scouts of America became a founding member
organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement; through
the years, the organization, now known as Scouting America, has created
Cub Scouting to serve younger youth, as well as Venturing, Sea Scouting,
and Exploring to operate as an older youth program; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Scouting America is to teach patriotism,
courage, self-reliance, and kindred values; for 115 years, Scouts have
upheld the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, preparing to live
with purpose and impact; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its 115-year existence, Scouting America has
promoted education, conservation, and leadership values to campers,
staff members, and future leaders from their communities and the world;
summer camp and year-round camping have been the avenues through which
these character-building principles were imparted; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding, Scouting America has had nearly 130
million Americans participate in its program and currently has more than
one million youth and more than 42,000 units; and

WHEREAS, More than two million young people have reached Scouting's
highest achievement of Eagle Scout, including famous individuals such as
President Gerald Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Neil Armstrong; on February
1, 2019, Scouting America changed its policy, allowing girls to join
gender-specific troops and officially opening all Scouting programs to
all youth; and

WHEREAS, The success of Scouting America is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been,

characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Scouting America, upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th
Anniversary, and to honor its members, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the youth of the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Scouting America.