SENATE RESOLUTION

                             1997-8614

By Senators West, Franklin, Swecker, Bauer, Zarelli, Sellar, Johnson, McCaslin, Snyder, Hale, Sheldon, Newhouse, Wojahn, McDonald, Roach, Anderson, Jacobsen, Haugen, Fraser and Kohl

     WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America have been an integral part of building the character of youth for over eighty-seven years; and

     WHEREAS, The Scout Law which reads "a Scout is, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent" provides an ethical code that we would all do well to follow; and

     WHEREAS, The Scout Motto of "Be Prepared" and the Scout Slogan of "Do a good turn daily" provide a positive mission for Scouts of all ages; and

     WHEREAS, World-wide Scout principles which include individual respect, citizenship, and service to others,  help lay a foundation for future service to our state and country; and

     WHEREAS, The co-ed Learning for Life program provides children with positive values and essential life skills in classrooms all over the nation; and

     WHEREAS, The co-ed Explorer program prepares youth for future careers; and

     WHEREAS, Scouts of all ages provide assistance in local and national emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, Thousands of Scouts participate every year in "Scouting for Food" good turn projects and have collected hundreds of tons of food for local food banks; and

     WHEREAS, Nationally over four million youths are involved in Boy Scouting from Tiger Cubs through Explorers; and

     WHEREAS, Over one million six hundred thousand adults in the United States give their time to volunteer to the Boy Scouts; and

     WHEREAS, The Governor of Washington State, Gary Locke, is a lifetime Boy Scout, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout; and

     WHEREAS, Over thirty-two members of the Washington State Legislature have been Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and thirty-nine members volunteer their time as leaders, parents, and counselors in scouting;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate applaud the effort and work of the six councils of the Boy Scouts of America in Washington State and the positive programs they provide for our youth; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage all agencies of state government to recognize the service and benefits that the Boy Scouts of America provide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Gary Locke, Governor of Washington; the Governor's cabinet officers; all state‑wide elected officials; the National Boy Scouts of America Office, the Western Region Office of the Boy Scouts of America, and to the six Boy Scout Councils serving Washington State.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8614,

adopted by the Senate February 12, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate