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 moral and ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values and principles 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 complemented youth education with a program that teaches our youth the skills, morals, and values that will help them throughout their lifetimes; and
     WHEREAS, The Scout Law teaches Scouts to be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent"; and
     WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America has reached a historic membership milestone with the addition of over one hundred million members; 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 to 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 Scouts program; and
     WHEREAS, With the support of over one million two hundred thousand 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 House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives 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 Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to 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.