HOUSE MEMORIAL 12

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Jason C. Harper

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 8, 2017 "BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the boy scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations; and

     WHEREAS, the great southwest council-boy scouts of America is charged with helping young people develop lifelong skills and values; and

     WHEREAS, the great southwest council serves more than seven thousand three hundred twenty-five young people throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the youth in scouting programs provided by the great southwest council are supported in their efforts by more than two thousand five hundred volunteers in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, boy scouts provide considerable public service to their communities, including more than twenty-two thousand hours in 2016 through eagle scout projects alone; and

     WHEREAS, the most recent study by Tufts university found that men who were scouts for five or more years as boys were more likely than men with no scouting experience to graduate from high school and college, earn higher household incomes, have lifelong friendships and believe helping others should come before one's own self-interests; and

     WHEREAS, in New Mexico, sixty-one young men obtained the rank of eagle scout in 2016; and

     WHEREAS, the great southwest council operates camping and other outdoor activities for youth at the Campbell scout ranch in the Sandia mountains and the Gorham scout ranch near Chimayo; and

     WHEREAS, the national division of the boy scouts of America operates the Philmont scout ranch in Cimarron, which hosts over thirty thousand visitors from all over the world every year; and

     WHEREAS, the national scouting museum will be relocating to New Mexico from Irving, Texas, in 2018; and

     WHEREAS, scouting serves young people throughout New Mexico, regardless of economic circumstances, parental involvement or any other factors that might limit a child's access to programs; and

     WHEREAS, the timeless values of the scout oath and law help young people in New Mexico grow into strong leaders and great residents of the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 8, 2017 be declared "Boy Scouts of America Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the regional manager of the great southwest council-boy scouts of America.

- 3 -