Bill Text: CA ACR127 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Sea Scouts Centennial.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-08 - In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. [ACR127 Detail]

Download: California-2011-ACR127-Introduced.html

---

BILL NUMBER: ACR 127	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Feuer, Atkins, Dickinson, Monning,
and Wieckowski

                        MARCH 13, 2012

   Relative to the Sea Scouts Centennial.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 127, as introduced, Feuer. Sea Scouts Centennial.
   This measure would congratulate and salute the Sea Scouts on their
Centennial for providing leadership and positive opportunities for
America's youth and would encourage the Boy Scouts of America,
including the Sea Scouts, to accept for membership and leadership
positions all qualified youth and adults, without discriminating on
the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, In 1912, Arthur A. Carey founded Sea Scouts, a division
of the Boy Scouts of America that focuses on traditional nautical
activities, with the Boy Scout Training Ship Pioneer in Boston; and
   WHEREAS, For 100 years, Sea Scouts has provided young people with
positive opportunities through hands-on maritime experiences; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has championed responsible boating to guard
against water accidents; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has partnered with civic organizations
promoting safe boating, environmental conservation, and community
service; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has inspired California's youth to join
maritime industries and competitive sailing; and
   WHEREAS, Thousands of Sea Scouts have served in the United States
Armed Forces and defended their country, as exemplified by Fleet
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's statement that 40 percent of the men
under his command in World War II had been Boy Scouts and they had
won 60 percent of the decorations for valor, a fact that constituted
"full justification of ... faith in the Sea Scouts"; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scouts is currently a specialized segment of the Boy
Scout's Venturing program for young adult men and women, with the
purpose of addressing members' boating skills and promoting knowledge
of our maritime heritage; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scouts in California hosts the largest Sea Scout
competitive and safety training events in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Sea Scout units, called "ships," focus on sailing and
cruising either sailboats or power vessels, whereby Sea Scouts learn
to maintain and operate the vessel, with a focus on learning the safe
and proper methods of handling boats, as well as learning the
meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide,
and how to drop anchor and approach a dock; and
   WHEREAS, The policy of the Boy Scouts of America, and therefore a
policy of the Sea Scouts, which bars from membership or leadership
positions otherwise qualified individuals solely on the basis of
their sexual orientation or religious belief, causes harm to the
innumerable youth and adults who, regardless of their hard work and
merits, are denied the opportunity to participate in any way in the
Boy Scouts of America and Sea Scouts; and
   WHEREAS, The discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America
and the Sea Scouts is contrary to the policy of the State of
California; and
   WHEREAS, Other similar organizations, such as the Girl Scouts,
Camp Fire USA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, serve as role
models for the Boy Scouts of America and Sea Scouts because they do
not discriminate against youth and adults; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature congratulates and salutes
the Sea Scouts on their Centennial for providing leadership and
positive opportunities for America's youth; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the Boy Scouts of
America, and therefore the Sea Scouts, to accept for membership and
leadership positions all qualified youth and adults, without
discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or religious
belief; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.