H.R. No. 160
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  the East Texas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for its
    1-3  outstanding contribution to the development of scouting programs in
    1-4  the region; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Serving Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops and explorer
    1-6  posts throughout a 15-county region of the state, the East Texas
    1-7  Area Council enables thousands of youths to participate in the
    1-8  myriad character-building activities that have been at the core of
    1-9  the scouting movement since its inception; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, At a time when complex social structures, rapid
   1-11  change, and uncertainty combine with ever-present peer pressure to
   1-12  create daunting challenges for youths everywhere, scouting programs
   1-13  provide a welcome opportunity for youngsters to develop and enhance
   1-14  positive social skills, to find and pursue areas of interest, to
   1-15  set and achieve personal goals, and to strengthen and solidify
   1-16  habits and value systems that lay the foundation for success
   1-17  throughout a person's lifetime; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, These opportunities are available throughout the
   1-19  pivotal years between 6 and 20, when much of a person's development
   1-20  takes place, and range from the fun-filled learning activities that
   1-21  engage young boys entering the Cub Scouts to character-building and
   1-22  horizon-broadening programs for older youths in the Boy Scouts and
   1-23  to challenging community-oriented citizenship programs that prepare
   1-24  young adults for meaningful roles in society; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, In addition to providing the various dens, troops,
    2-2  and posts in the East Texas region with the facilities,
    2-3  coordination, and financial support they need to conduct activities
    2-4  traditionally associated with scouting, such as annual summer camps
    2-5  and the upcoming multidistrict Scout-O-Rama, the East Texas Area
    2-6  Council also has been a leader in developing new programs aligned
    2-7  with the demands of today's society; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, Among the most notable of the council's
    2-9  groundbreaking efforts is the innovative Ethics in Action program,
   2-10  a highly successful endeavor designed to help youths develop their
   2-11  ability to make ethical decisions in practical, real-world
   2-12  situations by helping them recognize and deal with the
   2-13  contradictory values they can expect to encounter every day; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, This acclaimed program pioneered by the East Texas
   2-15  Area Council has proven so successful that it recently was adopted
   2-16  on a national level by the Boy Scouts of America; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, By offering this and other programs that contribute
   2-18  to personal growth, intellectual and moral development,
   2-19  reinforcement of positive self-esteem, and realization of potential
   2-20  ability, including the coeducational Learning for Life curriculum,
   2-21  and by supporting scouting activities throughout East Texas, this
   2-22  outstanding organization has performed a valuable service to the
   2-23  state and has earned special legislative praise and recognition;
   2-24  now, therefore, be it
   2-25        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-26  Legislature hereby honor the East Texas Area Council of the Boy
   2-27  Scouts of America on its noteworthy achievements in support of
    3-1  scouting activities in this state and its lasting contribution to
    3-2  the development of a productive and involved citizenry; and, be it
    3-3  further
    3-4        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-5  prepared for the council as an expression of high esteem by the
    3-6  Texas House of Representatives.