HOUSE MEMORIAL 69

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Greg Nibert and Jason C. Harper and Phelps Anderson

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 26, 2019 "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, the conquistador council-boy scouts of America and the yucca council-boy scouts of America are charged with helping young people develop lifelong skills and values; and

     WHEREAS, the great southwest council, the conquistador council and the yucca council serve more than eight thousand five hundred young people throughout New Mexico; and

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

     WHEREAS, boy scouts provide considerable public service to their communities, including more than fifty-one thousand hours in 2018 through eagle scout projects alone; and

     WHEREAS, a 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, one hundred seventy-six young men obtained the rank of eagle scout in 2018; and

     WHEREAS, the great southwest council, the conquistador council and the yucca council operate camping and other outdoor activities for youth at the Campbell scout ranch in the Sandia mountains, the Gorham scout ranch near Chimayo, the Wehinahpay mountain camp in the Sacramento mountains and dowling aquatic base in Carlsbad; and

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

     WHEREAS, the national scouting museum relocated 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 26, 2019 be declared "Boy Scouts of America Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the regional managers of the great southwest council-boy scouts of America, the conquistador council-boy scouts of America and the yucca council-boy scouts of America.

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