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2006 SESSION

068458348
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 262
Offered February 2, 2006
Commending the Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of its 96th anniversary.
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Patron-- Janis
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WHEREAS, on February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was founded by a group of visionary Americans led by William D. Boyce, in Washington, D.C., and was chartered on June 15, 1916, by the United States Congress; Scouting has served the youth of the Commonwealth of Virginia for over 95 years, since Richmond Troop #1 was chartered by Tabernacle Church in 1911; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices throughout their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law, including a commitment to do their best to do their duty to God and their Country, and to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight; and

WHEREAS, nine Boy Scout councils serve all or parts of the Commonwealth and include the Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Colonial Virginia Council, DelMarVA Council, Heart of Virginia Council, National Capital Area Council, Sequoyah Council, Shenandoah Council, Stonewall Jackson Area Council, and Tidewater Council; and

WHEREAS, there are over 100,000 young Virginians between the ages of 7 and 20 in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, and Exploring and Learning for Life programs; and

WHEREAS, Scouting programs emphasize character development by affording young people unique and increasing opportunities to exercise leadership and responsibility, and by giving them the direct example of cheerful service provided by over 35,000 volunteer adult leaders; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 Virginia Scouts contributed over 350,000 hours of community service through organizations and projects such as Scouting for Food, Good Turn for America, Habitat for Humanity, and others; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 over 70,000 Virginia youth have participated in outdoor recreation and educational programs, many for the first time in their lives, through the various units, camps, and facilities of the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, in 2005 Virginia Scouts earned over 67,000 merit badges and 1,516 young Virginians reached Scouting’s pinnacle of achievement by earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America enjoy a sustained record of proven success in producing leaders for the Commonwealth and the Nation who are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of its 96th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the Council Scout Executive on behalf of the Virginia Councils of the Boy Scouts of America as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for their service to the youth and the citizens of the Commonwealth.