SENATE RESOLUTION

                            8612

By Senators West, Roach, Johnson, McDonald, Sheahan, Rasmussen, and Fraser

     WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America was established on February 8, 1910 by founders Robert Baden Powell, Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and William D. Boyce; and

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

     WHEREAS, from its beginning, the concept of Scouting has grown and spread throughout the world to become the largest voluntary youth movement in the world; and

     WHEREAS, for more than ninety years, the Boy Scouts of America has complimented youth education with a program that teaches our youth the skills and values that will help them throughout their lifetimes; and

     WHEREAS, the Scout Law teaches Scouts to be Atrustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent;@ and

     WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America reached a historic membership milestone with the addition of its 100 millionth member in April of last year; and

     WHEREAS, In Washington State, there are over one hundred thousand youths involved in the Boy Scouts of America and nationally there are over four million members ranging from Tiger Cubs through Eagle Scouts; and

     WHEREAS, youths from every ethnic, religious, and economic background in suburbs, farms, and cities know and respect each other as they participate in the Boy Scout program; and

     WHEREAS, with the support of over 1.2 million adult volunteers nationwide, the Boy Scouts of America passes on to today=s youth the same principles, aims, and ideals that have been part of Scouting since 1910; and

     WHEREAS, at the dawn of the new millennium, the Boy Scouts of America look forward to continue building upon nine decades of instilling in youth the strong values and morals that will make a difference in the lives of millions in the new century;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate applaud the effort and work of the six Washington State Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, and also applaud the positive programs that the Boy Scouts of America 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 are provided by the Boy Scouts of America and work with Scouting and other youth organizations for the purpose of improving our communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Governor Gary Locke; 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 Boy Scout Councils serving Washington State. 

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8612,

adopted by the Senate February 9, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate