H.R. No. 922
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America celebrated the 100th
anniversary of establishing the rank of Eagle Scout in April 2012;
and
WHEREAS, Since its creation as the supreme achievement in
American scouting, the Eagle Scout badge has served as a powerful
symbol of accomplishment for young men, and the pursuit of this
coveted designation has helped numerous individuals to develop
their confidence and decision-making skills in preparation for the
challenges of adulthood; and
WHEREAS, To receive the rank, a candidate must meet a
demanding set of requirements that includes the attainment of 21
merit badges, the performance of troop leadership
responsibilities, and the completion of a community service
project; moreover, a prospective Eagle Scout must pass a rigorous
board of review that evaluates the manner in which he embodies the
tenets of the organization; and
WHEREAS, The nation's original Eagle Scout was Arthur Eldred
from Long Island, New York, who went before a review board composed
of the original founders of the Boy Scouts of America and was
approved for the honor in the summer of 1912; the first Eagle Scout
from Texas, and the first west of the Mississippi River, was William
Elmo Merrem of Shiner, who earned his badge on July 3, 1913; Mr.
Merrem went on to become a Marine Corps pilot during World War I
and, later, the vice president of the Houston Oil Company; and
WHEREAS, Many other Eagle Scouts have realized notable
accomplishments as well, and the list of badge recipients includes
winners of the Medal of Honor and the Nobel Prize, and numerous
astronauts, governors, and members of Congress; among the eminent
Texans to receive the rank are Walter Cronkite, H. Ross Perot, Lloyd
Bentsen, J. J. Pickle, and Governor Rick Perry; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, young men seeking the insignia
have collectively completed more than 100 million hours of service
while working on their Eagle Scout projects, which makes the
program one of the most productive youth initiatives of its kind;
some two million Americans have become Eagle Scouts during the past
century, and they have made positive contributions to cities and
towns across the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Eagle Scout program affirms the highest ideals
of the scouting movement, and the quest for this prestigious
designation has served as an important milestone in the lives of
legions of young men, helping them to build a strong foundation for
the future while benefiting their fellow citizens; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
establishment of the Eagle Scout rank and extend sincere best
wishes to the Boy Scouts of America for continued success with this
important program.
Raymond
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 922 was adopted by the House on March
27, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House