MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Powell, Gordon, Clarke, Harden, Butler, Carmichael, Fillingane, Dearing, Jones, McDaniel, Hewes, Watson, King, Simmons, Blount, Baria, Frazier, Wilemon, Mettetal, Hyde-Smith, Hopson, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Horhn, Dawkins, Burton, Browning, Hudson, Ward, Jackson (15th), Michel, Lee (47th), Albritton, Dickerson, Moffatt, Davis, Yancey, Montgomery, Turner, Tollison, Brown, Kirby, Nunnelee, Jackson (32nd), Lee (35th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.
WHEREAS, leaders are those who see possibilities and inspire others to see them, too. For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has inspired millions of American youth to dream more, do more, and become more. They have shaped our nation's youth by creating a strong foundation of leadership, service and community; and
WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was inspired by and modeled on the Boy Scout Association, established by Baden-Powell in Britain in 1908. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded by Chicago Publisher William Boyce on February 8, 1910. At that time in the United States, there were several other loosely structured outdoor-oriented youth organizations. The BSA grew rapidly and became the largest youth organization in the United States. For younger boys, the Cubbing program arose and for older boys, Exploring programs were developed. Additional programs and changes have occurred over the years to adapt the program to the youth of the day; and
WHEREAS, William Boyce's key contribution was to organize the BSA as a business. Boyce incorporated the organization in Washington, D.C., recruited key youth professionals (in particular from the YMCA) to design and operate the program, and he provided key funding for the infant organization. The new BSA quickly established a national office, developed a temporary handbook, sought out Baden-Powell's endorsement and obtained a Congressional Charter from the United States Congress in 1916. They also began an active campaign to absorb all other Scout-type youth organizations into the BSA; and
WHEREAS, Scouting in Mississippi has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. There are eight Boy Scouts of America local councils in Mississippi:
· Andrew Jackson Council serves Scouts in the area surrounding the State Capital.
· Istrouma Area Council serves Scouts in Louisiana and Mississippi.
· Chickasaw Council serves Scouts in Tennessee and Arkansas, as well as Mississippi.
· Choctaw Area Council serves youth in east Mississippi and west Alabama.
· Pine Burr Area Council serves youth in 17 counties in southeast and southern Mississippi.
· Pushmataha Area Council serves several counties in north Mississippi.
· The Southeast Louisiana Council serves Scouting in several Louisiana parishes and their 1,200-acre camp property known as Salmen Scout Reservation is located in Kiln, Mississippi.
· The Yocona Area Council serves counties in northeast Mississippi.
Each council has its own Order of the Arrow Lodge; and
WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the future, Scouting will continue to offer young people adventure and train young people in citizenship and service; and
WHEREAS, young people today face more challenges than ever before, but thanks to thousands of dedicated Scouting volunteers and professionals, they also have more opportunities. It is with great honor and pride that we take the time-proven values and traditions of yesterday and combine them with accomplishments of today to ensure that the values of the Scout Oath and Law remain strong tomorrow:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we ask all citizens of Mississippi to join us in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and declaring February 8, 2010, as "Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary Day in Mississippi."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Andrew Jackson Council representing the Boy Scouts of America, forwarded to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.