J 304: Commending Scouting America upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th Anniversary on February 8, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 304 BY: Senator WALCZYK COMMENDING the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th Anniversary on February 8, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the youth of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Boy Scouts of America upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th Anniversary on Saturday, February 8, 2025; and WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in Silver Bay, New York, on February 8, 1910; founders, William D. Boyce, Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and James E. West, were inspired by the teachings of Lord Robert Baden-Powell's scouting program which had begun two years earlier in England; the BSA successfully lobbied for a federal charter which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on June 15, 1916; and WHEREAS, In 1922, the Boy Scouts of America became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement; through the years, the BSA has created Cub Scouting to serve younger youth, as well as Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring to operate as an older youth program; and WHEREAS, The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to teach patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values; for 115 years, Scouts have upheld the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, preparing to live with purpose and impact; and WHEREAS, Throughout its 115-year existence, the Boy Scouts of America has promoted education, conservation, and leadership values to campers, staff members, and future leaders from their communities and the world; summer camp and year-round camping have been the avenues through which these character-building principles were imparted; and WHEREAS, Since its founding, the Boy Scouts of America has had nearly 130 million Americans participate in its program and currently has more than one million youth and more than 42,000 units; and WHEREAS, More than two million young people have reached Scouting's highest achievement of Eagle Scout, including famous individuals such as President Gerald Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Neil Armstrong; on February 1, 2019, the Boy Scouts of America changed its policy, allowing girls to join gender-specific troops and officially opening all Scouting programs to all youth; and WHEREAS, The success of the Boy Scouts of America is in direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Boy Scouts of America, upon the occasion of celebrating its 115th Anniversary, and to honor its members, past and present, who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for the youth of the community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Boy Scouts of America.