Senate Resolution No. 2956

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Boy
Scouts of America-Theodore Roosevelt Council

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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America-Theodore
Roosevelt Council to be feted at a Beach Bash Centennial Celebration on
Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Theodore Roosevelt Beach in Oyster Bay,
New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this auspicious milestone will be celebrated
with a myriad of other events throughout the year including the 2017
Theodore Roosevelt Council Gala in Garden City, New York; a 100th
Anniversary Capsule Contest held on October 15, 2017; a 100th
Anniversary commemorative journal will be published; a toy drive; and
the creation of a Scouting Tribute Wall made of engraved bricks; 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, 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, The Nassau County Council was officially chartered in 1917,
however, it changed its name in honor of the first Council Commissioner,
Theodore Roosevelt; and

WHEREAS, Headquartered in Massapequa, New York, the Theodore
Roosevelt Council is one of the oldest scout councils in the United
States; it is also the home of America's first Eagle Scout, Arthur R.
Eldred; and

WHEREAS, The Theodore Roosevelt Council encompasses four districts,
Shelter Rock, Rough Rider, Pequott, and Iroquois; and

WHEREAS, The Theodore Roosevelt Council sponsors Cub Scout Camping,
Boy Scout Camping, and Venturing Outdoor; it also maintains various
camping and outdoor programs at both the Schiff Scout Reservation in
Wading River, New York, and the Onteora Scout Reservation in Livingston
Manor, New York; 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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America-Theodore
Roosevelt Council; and be it further

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