HR0881 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0881 LRB096 20030 GRL 35528 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia; initial meetings brought together 34 national representatives of boys' work agencies; the Founders of Scouting included former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding, the Boy Scouts of America has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun; the organization believes that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America boasts over half of all active U.S. astronauts, one-third of all active military, and over 200 members of the 111th Congress as Scouting alumni or volunteers; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America played a critical role in the U.S. domestic war effort during the two world wars, selling millions of war bonds, aiding in food and fuel conservation projects, conducting defense housing surveys, and assisting emergency medical units; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America has developed an outstanding record of service, reporting over 35 million service hours in 2008 in the areas of food collection and distribution, litter cleanup and community beautification, conservation projects, food service at shelters, and military support and appreciation; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America serves nearly 4.7 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories; and

WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America has benefited from millions of volunteers who have provided leadership for Scouting programs over the last 100 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the past, present, and future members of the Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary celebration as one of the nation's foremost youth programs for character development and values-based leadership training; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America as a symbol of our esteem and respect.