For the second year in a row, the Boy Scouts of America has been recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
As they did a year ago when the BSA turned 112, Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) co-sponsored a resolution supporting the designation of a “Boy Scouts of America Day,” this time in celebration of the BSA’s 113th anniversary.
“There are more than 1 million youth currently enrolled in Scouting who contributed more than 17.7 million community service hours in 2022, helping to advance important projects from conserving local waterways to constructing accessible parks in nearly every congressional district across the country,” Thompson said on the floor of the House while holding his copy of the Scout Handbook.
You can watch Thompson’s speech in its entirety below.
Dedicated to Scouting
Both Thompson and Bishop are Eagle Scouts, and both have a long history in Scouting.
Thompson has spent more than 50 years in Scouting, including serving as a Scoutmaster. Bishop is a Distinguished Eagle Scout, and in 2012 was awarded the Good Scout award by the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for his “years of service as an Eagle Scout and longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts of America,” according to the news release.
I joined Rep. GT Thompson in introducing HRes 111, a resolution celebrating the founding of the @boyscouts. Scouting has shaped my life & the lives of millions by instilling the principles of moral character, responsibility, leadership & service to others. https://t.co/JrWMJXF4kt
— Sanford Bishop, Jr. (@SanfordBishop) February 13, 2023
“As co-chair of the Congressional Scouting caucus, I’m proud to introduce a resolution alongside my good friend from Georgia, Mr. Bishop, designating today as Boy Scouts of America Day to honor the tireless service of Scout volunteers and participants in our communities,” Thompson said.
Having spent more than 50 years in Scouting, I was proud to celebrate the 113th anniversary of @boyscouts this week. My experiences in Scouting first sparked my interest in public service. Congratulations to the Scouts on this momentous occasion! pic.twitter.com/rE6nweTq63
— Glenn “GT” Thompson (@CongressmanGT) February 10, 2023
The official text
The resolution, officially classified as “118th Congress 1st Session H.Res. 914,” reads in part:
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by Chicago publisher, William Boyce, on February 8, 1910, after learning of the Scouting movement during a visit to London;
Whereas the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to teach America’s youth self-reliance, character, ethical decisionmaking, and civic leadership through adherence to the Scout Oath and Law;
Whereas, by 1912, Scouts were enrolled in every State;
Whereas the first Eagle Scout Award was earned in 1912, and more than 2,722,000 youth have earned the Eagle Scout Award since;
Whereas 35,342 young men and women earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2022;
Whereas, in 2023, there are more than 1,042,000 youth currently enrolled and more than 17,000,000 living alumni across the United States;
Whereas each individual Scout, unit, and local council commits to performing community service yearly, totaling more than 17,700,000 community service hours in 2022;
Whereas more than 628,000 adult volunteer leaders serve young people in their communities through religious, civic, and other organizations chartered by the Boy Scouts of America;
Whereas the men and women involved in Scouting often neither seek nor receive the thanks of the public for their contribution to the future of our country;
Whereas February 8, 2023, would be an appropriate day to designate as “Boy Scouts of America Day” in celebration of the 113th anniversary of the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America; and
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit, have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness, have personal values based on religious and spiritual concepts, have the desire and skills to help others, understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems, take pride in their American heritage and understand our Nation’s role in the world, have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people, and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of a “Boy Scouts of America Day” in celebration of the 113th anniversary of the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America.