MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Coleman (65th), Buck (72nd), Calhoun, Clarke, Denny, Ellington, Espy, Evans (70th), Flaggs, Gunn, Harrison, Holloway, Robinson, Thomas, Wooten
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND THE ANDREW JACKSON COUNCIL ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTING ON FEBRUARY 8, 2010.
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2010, the Boy Scouts of America and the Andrew Jackson Council of Mississippi will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was incorporated on February 8, 1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia and later, officially chartered by the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, by the year 1912, Boy Scouts were enrolled in every state of the nation; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 1916, Congress granted a Federal Charter to the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, in the 1930s, in response to the request of President Roosevelt in a radio address, the Boy Scouts performed a nationwide Good Turn, collecting some 1,812,284 items of clothing, household furnishings, foodstuffs and supplies for the distressed and needy; and
WHEREAS, with the declaration of war in the 1940s, the government requested that the Boy Scouts provide service for the distribution of defense bonds and stamp posters, collection of aluminum and wastepaper, defense housing surveys, victory gardens, distribution of air raid posters, cooperation with the American Red Cross, and by joint agreement with the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, services in three capacities - messengers, assisting emergency medical units and firewatchers; and
WHEREAS, in the 1950s, the Scouts distributed more than a million posters and 30 million Liberty Bell doorknob hangers in a get-out-the-vote campaign; and
WHEREAS, the 500,000th Eagle Scout Badge was presented and the 40 millionth youth was registered in scouting in the 1960s; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, Project SOAR (Save Our American Resources) was initiated as an ongoing BSA Service Project with an estimated 60,000 BSA units taking part in SOAR-related conservation projects; and
WHEREAS, Eagle Scout Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States in 1974; and
WHEREAS, in the 1980s, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 75th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, in the 1990s, a focused initiative in Urban Emphasis encouraged the formation of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Explorer posts in low income and minority communities, while the bilingual publication of scouting literature was increased to serve Spanish-speaking parents and leaders; and
WHEREAS, since the turn of the 21st Century, the Boy Scouts of America's 100 millionth youth was registered, and the BSA launched Good Turn for America, a national initiative to address the problems of hunger, homelessness, inadequate housing and poor health with the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity as national partners; and
WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America is committed to helping millions of youth succeed by providing the support, friendship, and mentoring necessary to live a happy and fulfilling life; and
WHEREAS, the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America and its four districts, including 22 Magnolia State counties of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venturing crews, are celebrating Scouting's 100th Anniversary with the theme, "Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey"; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 400 community organizations that make Scouting available, serve more than 21,000 youth in our area and participate in the Scouting program as a means of character building, citizenship training, and personal fitness; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the accomplishments of our youth such as the members of the Andrew Jackson Council who bring honor to our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the Boy Scouts of America and the Andrew Jackson Council on the celebration on February 8, 2010, of the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts of America, express deepest appreciation to the many Mississippi scouting volunteers and leaders for their unwavering interest in and dedication to America's youth.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Boy Scouts of America, to the Andrew Jackson Council and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.