[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 134 (Friday, November 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H10029-H10033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA FOR PUBLIC SERVICES PERFORMED
ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 853) recognizing the Boy Scouts of America
for the public service the organization performs for neighborhoods and
communities across the United States.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 853
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America is one of the leading
volunteer youth movements in the United States, serving more
than 4,700,000 young people with the support of 1,200,000
volunteer adult leaders;
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on
February 8, 1910, and recognized by Federal charter on June
15, 1916, to provide an educational program for youth to
build character, train in the responsibilities of
participatory citizenship, and develop personal fitness;
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America teaches the core values
of duty to God and country, personal honor, respect for the
beliefs of others, volunteerism, and the value of service and
doing a ``good turn'' daily, principles which are conducive
to good character, citizenship, and health; and
Whereas during the 95-year history of the Boy Scouts of
America, the organization has partnered with the Salvation
Army, Habitat for Humanity International, the American Red
Cross, and thousands of other community and civic
organizations to address critical issues facing communities
in the United States, including the problems of hunger,
inadequate housing, and poor health and youth obesity: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Boy Scouts of America for the public
service the organization performs for neighborhoods and
communities across the United States; and
(2) commends the Boy Scouts of America for the Good Turn
for America program and the work the organization has
accomplished while partnering with the Salvation Army,
Habitat for Humanity International, the American Red Cross,
and thousands of other community and civic organizations
across the United States to address critical issues facing
communities in the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson-Lee) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner).
General Leave
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 853.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 853,
recognizing the Boy Scouts of America for the public service the
organization performs for neighborhoods and communities across the
United States.
Despite the widespread respect the Boy Scouts of America have earned
over their long history, the Boy Scouts have been and continue to be
the targets of strident legal attacks simply because religious faith is
part of the scouting program.
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on February 8,
1910, and chartered by this Congress in 1916, is to provide an
educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to
train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and to develop personal
fitness. The community-based organizations receive national charters
they use to integrate the Scouting program into their own youth work.
These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the Boy
Scouts of America, include religious, educational, civil, fraternal,
business and labor organizations; governmental bodies; corporations;
professional associations; and citizens' groups.
Several Presidents of the United States, including John F. Kennedy
and Gerald R. Ford, have been ex-Scouts. Of the 108th Congress, 264
Members, nearly half the entire congressional membership, participated
in Scouting. Membership in the Scouts since 1910 totals more than 110
million. As of December 31, 2003, the Boy Scouts of America included
3.2 million youth members and 1.2 million adult members.
The Scout Law sets forth 12 guiding principles, providing that a
Scout is ``trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.'' With regard
to the final principle, the Scout Law says, ``A Scout is reverent. A
Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties.
He respects the beliefs of others.'' All Boy Scouts must know and
subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law, which embodies not only the ideals
of Scouting but also those of our great Nation.
While many religious organizations charter Scouting units, Boy Scouts
of America prohibits them from requiring boys who belong to other
denominations or faith to take part in or observe their religious
ceremonies. Rather, the Boy Scouts of America encourages its youth
members to practice their religious beliefs as directed by their
parents and their spiritual advisors.
In Boy Scouts of America vs. Dale, the Supreme Court held that
``during the time spent with the youth members, the scoutmasters and
assistant scoutmasters inculcate them with the Boy Scouts' values, both
expressly and by example. It seems indisputable that an association
that seeks to transmit such a system of values engages in expressive
activity.''
Whenever the Boy Scouts are singled out for unfavorable treatment
because of their viewpoint, very serious constitutional issues are
raised. And this Congress will do everything in its power to uphold the
Boy Scouts' constitutional rights.
Despite affirmation of the Scouts' first amendment right of
expressive association by the Supreme Court in the Dale case, the Boy
Scouts have been attacked on a variety of legal fronts.
In 1999 the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the
United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development, and the Chicago School Reform Board of
Trustees claiming that governmental support of the Boy Scouts violates
the establishments clause because the Boy Scouts require a belief in
God as a condition of membership. This lawsuit seeks to remove
virtually all government support of the Boy Scouts of America.
Additionally, though the Supreme Court affirmed the Scouts' freedom
of expressive association in the context of setting membership
standards, the Scouts have been excluded from participating in
Connecticut's charitable giving program for choosing to express this
right.
The Scouts are also under attack in the city of San Diego. For
decades the Scouts have used San Diego park property pursuant to a
lease agreement with the city. However, the use of this property is
currently in jeopardy due to claims by activist groups that the Scouts'
use of the property violates the establishment clause.
The Scouts have also had to fight for equal access to school
facilities for after-hour use. Shortly after the Supreme Court's
decision in Dale, the Broward County School Board in Florida
unanimously voted to exclude the Boy Scouts of America from utilizing
school facilities for after-school use simply because of the Boy
Scouts' religious principles, even though, for many years prior to
this, the local arm of the Scouts had enjoyed the after-hours use of
many Broward school facilities and numerous other organizations
continued to use the school facilities.
Throughout the history of the Boy Scouts of America, the Boy Scouts
have provided services to others, gathering food and clothing for needy
[[Page H10030]]
neighbors, building playgrounds, repairing parks and public buildings,
assisting fire and police departments, and aiding disaster victims. In
the days following September 11, Boy Scouts across the country
collected food and other necessities for the victims' family and rescue
workers and helped to rally the patriotism of the country by handing
out flags and holding candlelight vigils.
Practically every Member of this body, Mr. Speaker, has been invited
and participated in Eagle Scout ceremonies. I have been at a number of
them, and it is a recognition of the good kids in our society that in
my opinion do not get enough recognition. But in order to become an
Eagle, every Scout has to do some type of community service project.
And if the Scout does not do that, the Scout does not attain the
highest rank, which is Eagle status. And it would be a shame if the Boy
Scouts ended up being sued to death and, thus, the communities that
benefit from all of these Eagle projects, as well as the projects that
Scouts of lower rank participate in, would not be available.
We need the Boy Scouts now more than ever. And this Congress will do
whatever it takes to make sure their vital spirit continues to inspire
and strengthen America and its youth. I rise today in support of House
Resolution 853, and I will rise in support of future efforts to protect
the Boy Scouts whenever they or any other organization face unfair
discrimination.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise as a Silver Beaver recipient and a member of the
board of directors of the Houston-Galveston Boy Scouts of America. I
also am a member of this body and recognize that there is diversity of
opinion and thought and process and also in many instances the
interpretation of the Constitution. But I rise today to recognize that
we have the kind of embracing support for H. Res. 853 and recognizing
the young men that engage in Boy Scout programs throughout America.
Let me first say that we in this country should be very proud that we
have the kind of young people who are willing in their very young age
to become a part of a civic organization that provides service. And so
this resolution recognizes that service.
I would just offer to my colleagues the list of service activities,
probably so many of them in your community that we see Boy Scouts
engaged in. For example, ``Habitat Fills in the Missing Pieces on
Dallas Street,'' and this article shows Boy Scout Troop 1077 going
about their activities and helping to rebuild communities, young men,
if you will, that are not even voting age at this time.
Then when we have looked at the question of homeland security, we see
another article suggesting something that I am very committed to,
preparedness in our neighborhoods. Boy Scouts of America helped launch
a national preparedness month, and they are here with Secretary of
Homeland Security Tom Ridge because it is the Boy Scouts who understand
preparedness and understand first aid and understand organizational
skills that are very key and can be very key in helping us to secure
our neighborhoods.
Of course, all of us have heard about aiding hurricane victims, and
we have another release that talks about 200 Boy Scouts aiding
Hurricane Charley victims. So we know that this is an opportunity for
young people to learn not only their civic duty but to participate in
it.
Let me share with you a personal story on the Boy Scouts. I think it
is a program that has now taken some national wings, and that is what
we call Urban Scouting. Some years ago in Houston we started this
program with T-shirts and having youngsters from the inner city come
and do Boy Scouts programs in the parks. That was the only place that
they had; and unlike other units that had parents and maybe other kinds
of facilities, we used paid Scouters, professionals, to help us with
the Urban Scouting program. I am very proud to say that today it has in
our community hundreds of members, maybe up to thousands of members,
now with their uniforms; our programs are in our schools.
I would venture to say that we understand that there is a balance in
expressing your constitutional right to be free from various church and
State issues, but we also know that we must have a balance. So this
resolution charges this Congress with having a balance. I would say
that this program, the Good Turn for America program, is a key element
of the work that we do with the Boy Scouts. Through the Good Turn for
America program, thousands of young people have worked with
organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, have worked to aid victims
of Hurricane Charley, have volunteered to feed the poor, and have
worked to become good citizens by serving their communities.
So it is appropriate, Mr. Speaker, that we join with our colleagues
in recognizing the fact that the Boy Scouts do good work for us.
I will say that I welcome the Boy Scouts to Washington, D.C., or the
region, and I welcome them for their annual jamboree. The reason why I
say that is because sometimes we do take personal privilege and I want
to acknowledge Wheeler Avenue Boy Scouts Troop in Houston, Texas, and
thank them for allowing and helping my young man, Jason Lee, become the
Eagle Scout that he is today. I thank them for allowing him to
participate in the jamboree, and for those insiders, Philmont Camp in
New Mexico.
This is a training process for the leaders of today and also for
tomorrow. So I think it is important for us to join in this resolution
and to commend the ideals of the Boy Scouts and of course the results
of the Boy Scouts. I join with my neighbors and friends and my
colleagues in commending the public spirited work of these young people
throughout the Nation. There is no higher ideal than serving your
community. By helping their neighbors they are making themselves better
citizens. These young people deserve to be commended for their work.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution commends the Boy Scouts for their work
in our communities through the ``Good Turn for America'' program.
Through the Good Turn for America program thousands of young people
have worked with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, have
worked to aid victims of Hurricane Charley, have volunteered to feed
the poor, and have worked to become good citizens by serving their
communities.
I want to join my colleagues in commending the public spirited work
of these young people throughout the Nation. There is no higher ideal
than serving your community. By helping their neighbors, they are
making themselves better citizens. These young people deserve to be
commended for the good work.
200 Boy Scouts Aid Charley Victims
On Saturday morning, August 21st, at 5 a.m. over 200 Boy
Scouts in Palm Beach County departed from Boca Raton's Town
Center Mall for Florida's devastated west to provide disaster
relief services for the victims of Hurricane Charley. Boys
and adults from nine troops drove 16 vehicles, including five
trucks loaded with food and supplies to Arcadia to serve
three meals to those left homeless by the storm.
The Boy Scout relief effort, organized by Tom Ehrbar II, a
Boca Raton businessman and longtime Scouting supporter,
carried contributions of food from Wholesum Bread,
Johnsonville Bratwurst, Cheney Bros. Foods, and other local
vendors to the Arcadia disaster area. The Boy Scouts served
1,000 breakfasts, 1,500 lunches, and over 1,500 dinners to
the beleaguered residents of Arcadia. The Scouts also carried
personal care items for distribution.
Once in Arcadia, the Boy Scouts assisted the local disaster
relief personnel in whatever tasks needed attention:
assisting in construction of temporary housing, providing
logistical support, or communications, states Eagle Scout
Thomas Ehrbar III, son of the project organizer. Weyerhouser
has donated lumber supplies for that effort.
The Scouts kicked off Good Turn for America, a nationwide
program of community service provided by the Boy Scouts for
the communities they serve. Hurricane Charley arrived in
Florida on the eve of that program kickoff.
[September 9, 2004]
Boy Scouts of America Help Launch National Preparedness Month
When the Department of Homeland Security wanted to send a
message about the importance of ``being prepared'' at the
launch of National Preparedness Month in Washington, DC, they
turned to the Boy Scouts of America.
Eagle Scout Tucker Barbour of Troop 500, chartered to the
Capitol Hill Scouts in Washington, DC, introduced Secretary
of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at the kickoff event on the
grounds of the United States Capitol.
[[Page H10031]]
Barbour was joined on stage by Scouts and leaders from the
National Capital Area Council and representatives of the Girl
Scouts.
The Boy Scouts of America is part of a coalition of
organizations assembled by the Department of Homeland
Security to promote September as National Preparedness Month.
The emphasis is intended to provide Americans with a variety
of opportunities to learn more about ways they can prepare
for an emergency, get an emergency supply kit, establish a
family communications plan, and become better aware of
threats that may impact communities.
The event was attended by honorary National Preparedness
Month co-chairs Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph
Lieberman (D-CT) and Representatives Christopher Cox (R-CA)
and Jane Harman (D-CA), as well as American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha Evans and leaders of more than 80
other organizations to announce hundreds of events focused on
preparedness across the country. Following the event, the
Scouts distributed emergency preparedness kits to members of
Congress.
To support National Preparedness Month, the Boy Scouts of
America is encouraging Scouts and volunteers to focus on
earning the Emergency Preparedness BSA Award. The award was
developed at the request of the Department of Homeland
Security and introduced in 2003.
Habitat Fills in the Missing Pieces on Dallas Street--Volunteers Build
Homes That Developer Was Unable To Finish
(By Kim Homer)
The residents of Pinebrook Drive just watched their
neighborhood go through a makeover.
And it took only nine days.
On Saturday, Habitat for Humanity volunteers finished
building 22 new three-bedroom homes there on the short street
near Bonnie View and Simpson Stuart roads on lots that had
stood vacant for years.
Hundreds of volunteers planted flowers, installed mailboxes
and put the last bricks on the attractive homes with front
porches Saturday.
A developer ran out of money to finish building homes on
Pinebrook Drive a few years ago. That left gaps of missing
houses. Toney Lemons, who has lived on the street since 1974,
said he didn't mind all the construction work and traffic--
which police came to direct at times--since it was for a good
cause.
``Everybody needs somewhere to stay,'' Mr. Lemons said,
adding that he'll be happy as long as his new neighbors take
care of their properties like he does.
Nora Hernandez, who will move in down the street, was so
excited about her new place she couldn't eat the lunch
provided for volunteers on Saturday.
``It's perfect,'' she said of the home. ``It's beautiful.''
The 31-year-old single mother will move her three young
children from a cramped one-bedroom Arlington apartment to
her new three-bedroom home in July.
Ms. Hernandez, who works as a packer in a Grand Prairie
plastics factory, said she's thrilled to become a homeowner.
She has looked into buying a house before but found she could
not afford one.
``It's a big opportunity for families like mine,'' she
said. Ms. Hernandez said her mortgage will be slightly less
than her rent of $485 a month. Her children, ages 8, 7 and 2,
will be able to have separate bedrooms for the first time,
she said.
Ms. Hernandez said she learned about the program from her
friend and co-worker, Juanita Acosta. Ms. Hernandez told Ms.
Acosta that she was hosting a birthday party at her house for
one of her children.
``I said, `Where?''' said Ms. Acosta, who couldn't imagine
her friend had enough room to host the celebration.
Now that Ms. Hernandez knows about Habitat for Humanity,
she said she wants to return the favor by spreading the word
about the program to others who may not realize they can
apply.
Ms. Acosta, who lives in a Pleasant Grove house built by
Habitat for Humanity, took a week's vacation to help build
her friend's home. The two friends have been putting up
walls, painting and sweeping as part of the ``sweat equity''
homeowners must contribute in exchange for no-interest,
$60,000 mortgages.
In all, about 3,500 volunteers pitched in during the
building blitz. They came from 20 churches, 11 businesses and
other organizations, including 300 AmeriCorps volunteers who
traveled from throughout the nation.
Ronald Denham of Victoria, Texas, was one of the workers
from AmeriCorps, which gives participants a small living
allowance in exchange for community service.
``I believe there's a need and I'd wanted to do this for
years,'' said Mr. Denham, 67, a retired court reporter.
Volunteers from Dallas-based Home Interiors and Gifts put a
finishing touch of a wreath on each house on Saturday. The
company sponsored one of five homes built by all-women crews
as part of Habitat for Humanity's Women Building program.
``The home is a haven,'' said Carol Eichinger, the
company's director of communications, who worked on the
house. ``But first you have to have a house to decorate.''
Filling in 22 empty lots with new houses turned Pinebrook
Drive into a whole new place for current and incoming
residents, said Fred Hoster, director of development for
Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. Habitat built 19 homes on
the street more than two years ago, so now the nonprofit
organization has built a majority of the homes there.
Mr. Hoster said he expects private for-profit homebuilders
will expand on what Habitat started in that area. Then, he
said, he hopes new stores and restaurants will follow in the
neighborhood that lacks many retail businesses. Mr. Hoster
said he's confident the surrounding area will have a new look
in a few years.
``We build neighborhoods,'' he said. ``All the neighbors
already know each other because they've worked on each
others' houses.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the author of this
resolution.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this
important resolution to the floor in a timely fashion, and I say
``timely'' because an organization that on a bipartisan basis enjoys so
much support to be under attack on a daily basis as we speak is an
organization that needs our attention.
In 1916 when the Congress chartered the Boy Scouts, it did so in
recognition of their contribution in their early days. But as we hear
today that nearly or actually over half of the male Members of Congress
are here today in no small part because of their participation in Boy
Scouts, what we see is a ratio of success that comes from the Boy
Scouts, that comes from the kind of training they provide to both urban
and rural America. That is what we are here to defend today.
This resolution is, as the chairman so aptly said, one step in a
dedication that we have on a bipartisan basis to defend the Boy Scouts'
ability to continue the fine work they have done for nearly a century.
As a San Diegoan I am acutely aware of just how easily outside
organizations objecting to what the Boy Scouts stand for could lead to
the end of Scouting as we know it.
{time} 1245
So I want to, once again, thank the chairman for bringing this
important resolution to the floor in this Congress. I have no doubt
that we will take up these issues and more in the next Congress, but as
a former Boy Scout, somebody who, if I owe anyone the ``thank you for
being here today,'' it was, in fact, for a Christian Arab young man to
be in a Jewish Boy Scout troop, to be around the kind of openness and
thinking that was available to me as a Scout, coming every week to an
orthodox temple to understand the values of the world, not the values
of Christianity, not the value of Judaism but the values of the world
and the people of the world.
So, once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge the unanimous support of this
resolution, and I ask all my colleagues to vote with the chairman, with
myself, with the ranking member in favor of H. Res. 853.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 853 which
honors the Boy Scouts of America, for the public service the
organization performs for neighborhoods and communities across the
United States.
I would like to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner, the Judiciary Committee
staff, the Majority Leader and his staff for their hard work to bring
this measure to the floor.
For 95 years, the Boy Scouts of America have made outstanding
contributions to citizenship, service, and leadership.
The stated purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, incorporated on
February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 is to provide an
educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to
train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and to develop personal
fitness.
More than 50 percent of congressional members participated in
Scouting either as a scout or a scout leader.
As I stand here today, the City of San Diego is facing litigation
that would force the city to stop supporting the activities of the Boy
Scouts and void a long-standing lease under which the Boy Scouts
operate their headquarters in city-owned Balboa Park.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded on the premise of teaching boys
moral and ethical values through an outdoor program that challenges
them and teaches them respect for one another and themselves.
Scouting has always represented the best in community, leadership,
and service.
[[Page H10032]]
The Boy Scouts of America relies on dedicated volunteers to promote
its mission of preparing young people to make moral and ethical choice
over their lifetime by instilling the values of the Scout Oath.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an expression of Congress'
appreciation for Scouts, volunteer leaders, and employees of the Boy
Scouts of America.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to
yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Davis), someone who understands the importance of opportunities for
young men and has been a leader on these issues.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner); with the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the ranking member of the subcommittee;
with the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the sponsor of this
legislation; and all of the others who have come to provide recognition
of the public service that is performed by the Boy Scouts of America.
I can agree that there can be disagreements and there can be
examination of practices, but the Boy Scouts of America have been one
of the most prolific organizations in the development of boys into men
that I know about in this country.
As one who served for 12 years as the scouting commissioner in my
community, there was no sight one would rather see than 2- or 300 young
boys at a blue and gold dinner or to see the 500 Scouts who used to
participate in parades and other activities that we would put on.
So, in addition to the community service that they provide, I commend
the Scouts for developing boys into men, and I am pleased to join in
support of this resolution.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).
(Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the chairman of the
Committee on the Judiciary, for yielding me the time.
As an Eagle Scout, I rise in strong support of this resolution and am
heartened by the bipartisan outpouring of support for the Boy Scouts of
America, as mentioned earlier, a movement that was chartered federally
by this very Congress early in the 20th century. While we today
reiterate our support for the scouting movement, as my colleague from
California, the sponsor of this resolution, noted, scouting is under
attack.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a nuisance lawsuit against
the Pentagon saying that somehow sponsorship of Scout troops on
military bases violates the doctrine of separation of church and State.
Mr. Speaker, that is a nuisance lawsuit, and I am sorry the Defense
Department attorneys decided to surrender to the ACLU.
Mr. Speaker, I have written Secretary Rumsfeld asking him to
countermand the decision of the Pentagon lawyers. Scouting values,
military values, citizenship values, a respect and reverence for our
Creator is not a violation of the doctrine of separation of church and
State. So I hope those who join us in support of this resolution will
likewise join us to say to the Pentagon attorneys, take down the white
flag of surrender, do not give up on scouting, and we remain poised to
take further measures to ensure that our government institutions follow
the will of the people and the sentiment of the Congress.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Stearns).
(Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution
and support, of course, of the Boy Scouts of America.
As mentioned, they have had 90 years of history here helping young
men, young boys build character and train them in the responsibility of
participating in citizenship. The Boy Scouts teach these boys and young
men that there is a higher good, something outside of themselves within
each of them they should strive to achieve.
We have heard, for example, from the chairman of millions of American
boys and young men who participate in the Boy Scouts, including Gerald
Ford, Hank Aaron, Ross Perot, Jimmy Stewart, Neil Armstrong. They all
have benefited tremendously from belonging to and participating in the
Boy Scouts.
As such, it is altogether fitting that we recognize the Scouts for
all the public service and all the charitable work they have done over
the years.
But Congress also has a responsibility to defend the Boy Scouts from
the relentless attacks on it from various government entities and
interest groups. For example, the ACLU is suing to challenge the
Federal Government's longstanding support for the Boy Scouts. Do my
colleagues realize also the ACLU also currently sued for the right of a
nudist camp for children to open?
Recently, the Department of Defense has agreed to no longer
officially sponsor the Scouts on military bases. Why? Because the
Scouts' oath mentions God. This is not the first time the Boy Scouts
have come under attack for their oath or their membership policies,
even though the Supreme Court and the American people are on the side
of the Boy Scouts.
The ACLU has led the charge against the Scouts in States like
Connecticut and cities like San Diego to defund this important
organization, take away their campsites and treat them as though they
are hate groups. This campaign against the Scouts is truly wrong. It is
about time we do something about it.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and any
other efforts to protect the Boy Scouts of America.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I believe I have no further speakers, Mr. Speaker, and I would just
simply say, let me add my appreciation and applause to the sponsor of
this legislation, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), but also to
all of the volunteers and parents and community citizens, businesses
that contribute to the Boy Scouts of America across the Nation.
As well, let me thank the Houston-Galveston Council on Boy Scouts in
our community and as well maintain the fact of the valuable asset that
Boy Scouts and their programs represent in the United States of
America.
I ask for support.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 853 may be the most self-evident
resolution this body has considered in the 108th Congress. It is a bill
to recognize the good service of the Boy Scouts of America. One would
think we might as well consider a resolution recognizing the good
service of motherhood and apple pie.
But, Mr. Speaker, as we near the end of 2004 we have to come to
understand that some Americans do not believe in the good works of the
Boy Scouts of America. In fact, there are those who believe that the
very existence of the Boy Scouts of America does not deserve
recognition by the Federal Government.
Although such a disposition may appear to be shocking at first, it is
the mind-bending logical conclusion of an effort that seeks to isolate
groups like the Boy Scouts. The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU,
released the details of a legal settlement with the U.S. Department of
Defense, DoD, this Tuesday, November 16, 2004. In this ongoing case,
the ACLU has sued DOD and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, HUD, for sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America, thus, in
the opinion of the ACLU, breaching the Constitution's separation of
church and state. While the settlement reached by the ACLU with DOC
seems benign, the attack upon our country's cultural institutions
cannot be ignored.
While purporting to defend Liberty, the ACLU and its allies promote
an agenda that discriminates against religion and blocks the People
from helping those who help others. You see, the Boy Scouts of America
have the word ``God'' in their oath. While the Scout Oath also contains
words like honor, moral, and country, the ACLU is concerned that
religion is intruding upon the rights of the American people because
Department of Defense employees have long worked with the Boy Scouts of
America for community events.
Mr. Speaker, I serve as the chairman of the Criminal Justice, Drug
Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Committee on Government
Reform. Through my subcommittee, the ranking member, Elijah Cummings,
and I have held eight hearings in the last 2 years on the provision of
services by faith-based and community groups. In a field
[[Page H10033]]
hearing we held on January 23, 2004, in Los Angeles, CA, the
subcommittee heard from a witness who explained the simple yet weighty
impact the use of government property would be for groups like his.
Keith Phillips is the founder and president of World Impact, a
nonprofit, faith-based organization ``designed to transform the lives
of the urban poor.'' For groups like Mr. Phillips', the use of buses
for weekend trips can be the difference in helping the children of the
urban poor. He suggested at our hearing that the Federal Government
allow groups like his to use their buses on the weekend. He explained
that government can help World Impact help other Americans, ``Give us
facilities where we can run clinics, thrift stores, recreational
activities. Help us provide better transportation for the urban poor to
camps, conferences and schools by giving us the use of government
vehicles like buses on weekends.''
Mr. Speaker, our Department of Defense, not to speak of other federal
departments, operate hundreds, probably thousands of buses. The first
legal step has been taken to prevent these buses from ever being used
by the Boy Scouts or by groups like World Impact. I hope this House
takes leaps toward helping groups like these. I hope this House takes
steps to help DOD and other branches of the Federal Government help
these people help their fellow Americans. I hope we stand up for the
religious liberty of Americans against those who would discriminate
against religiously oriented Americans.
I rise with my colleagues of the House in recognizing the good
service of the Boy Scouts of America. Though H. Res. 853 would appear
to be a simple resolution for this body to consider, I believe we are
forced to defend the Boy Scouts and all other service organizations
that would be falsely challenged in their service of other Americans.
Let us unanimously pass H. Res. 853, and honor the ideals of the Scout
Oath:
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 853.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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