By Kamel H.R. No. 160 74R4151 JLZ-D 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.