Bill Text: CA ACR128 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Boy Scouts of America.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-08-29 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Allen. [ACR128 Detail]

Download: California-2011-ACR128-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 128	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


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

                        MARCH 13, 2012

   Relative to Boy Scouts of America.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 128, as introduced, Feuer. Boy Scouts of America.
   This measure would recognize, congratulate, and commend the Boy
Scouts of America on its 102nd anniversary, and encourage the Boy
Scouts of America to accept for membership and leadership positions
qualified boys and men without discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation or religious belief.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Since the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, millions
of Boy Scouts have taken the experience of scouting and gone on to
contribute great things to society; and
   WHEREAS, A Boy Scout can be followed, as he is a leader in his
troop and community, regardless of the scout's race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sexual
orientation, or disability; and
   WHEREAS, The list of former Boy Scouts includes diverse role
models and leaders; and
   WHEREAS, A Boy Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is
important to him, but because of the significant example he sets for
other scouts; and
   WHEREAS, Loyalty to his troop and brother scouts makes him
"pitch-in" and carry his share of the load, recognizing the devotion
to his family and the community in which he lives; and
   WHEREAS, A Boy Scout's courage means standing up for what he
believes in without compromising his own beliefs; and
   WHEREAS, A Boy Scout looks forward to each day, seeking his share
of the world's work to do; and
   WHEREAS, Honor, loyalty, and courage are hallmarks of scouts who
admirably represent the community, council, and troop in their daily
lives; and
   WHEREAS, A Boy Scout is helpful in service and will always "be
prepared" to put forth his best; and
   WHEREAS, The character traits represented by Boy Scouts are
symbols present in the Boy Scout badge, worn proudly on the uniform,
by youth in this state and across the country; and
   WHEREAS, It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve
others by helping to instill values in young people, and in other
ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in
achieving their full potential; and
   WHEREAS, The values that the Boy Scouts of America strives to
instill are found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law; and
   WHEREAS, Boy Scouts are required to abide by the Scout Law and
Scout Oath, which proudly uses such terms as "honor," "trustworthy,"
and "loyal"; and
   WHEREAS, Many Boy Scouts have been forced to hide their identity
in contradiction to the Scout Mission, Law, and Oath, and Boy Scouts
and scout leaders who were open about their sexual orientation have
been expelled from scouting; and
   WHEREAS, The policy of the Boy Scouts of America to bar from
membership or leadership positions otherwise qualified individuals
solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or religious belief
causes harm to the innumerable boys and men such as James Dale who,
regardless of their hard work and merits, are denied the opportunity
to participate in any way in the Boy Scouts of America; and
   WHEREAS, Many former Boy Scouts have left scouting and formed
their own advocacy organization, Scouting for All, in an effort to
bring the values of scouting to youth without discrimination; and
   WHEREAS, The discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America 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 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 does hereby recognize,
congratulate, and commend the Boy Scouts of America on its 102nd
anniversary; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the Boy Scouts of
America to accept for membership and leadership positions all
qualified boys and men, 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.