HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 13

(By Delegates Chiarelli, DeVault, Warner, Householder, Sheedy, Horst, Mallow, Street, C. Pritt, Hillenbrand, and Brooks)

January 30, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Rules

Designating the second week of February as "Boy Scouts of America Week" in West Virginia.

Whereas, West Virginia has a long and outstanding history of participation in the Boy Scouts of America, from the 1910's until the present day, and has served thousands of youths this state in programs that promote and encourage personal integrity, leadership, respect, compassion and service to the community; and

Whereas, The Boy Scouts of America was founded in Washington, DC, on February 8, 1910, by Chicago publisher William D. Boyce after the "Unknown Scout" aided Mr. Boyce through a dense London fog and refused a tip for the assistance; and

Whereas, The Boy Scouts of America continues to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices by teaching them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law and continues its mission of "patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values" and its goal of providing "citizenship, service, and leadership"; and

Whereas, Both youth and adult members strive to fulfill the Scout Motto of "Be Prepared" and the Scout Slogan of "Do a Good Turn Daily"; and

Whereas, There are nine Boy Scouts local (BSA) councils located throughout West Virginia, most of whom were originally formed in the 1910's, 1920's and early 1930's; and

Whereas, West Virginia is also the location of The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, (Summit Bechtel Reserve), located in Mount Hope, West Virginia, near Beckley, and is one of four facilities managed by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Summit is the home of the national Scout jamboree, the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base, the James C. Justice National Scout Camp, and the Thomas S. Monson Leadership Excellence Complex; the main site is 10,600 acres in size, with additional properties along the New River Gorge totaling around 14,000 acres; the facility hosted the 2013 National Scout Jamboree; and

Whereas, it is fitting and appropriate that the second week of February be designated as a time to recognize and commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of the Boy Scouts of America in West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the second week of February is hereby designated as "Boy Scouts of America Week" in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Boy Scouts of America local councils located in West Virginia.