Sep. 14, 2017
HARRISBURG – Following a Capitol rally to celebrate the benefits of scouting activities, the House of Representatives gave its unanimous approval to a resolution sponsored by Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) designating Monday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 17, as “Boy Scout and Cub Scout Sign-Up Week” in Pennsylvania.
Watch Rep. Dowling’s remarks about scouting on the House floor.
“For more than a century, the Boy Scouts organization has been helping young boys learn not only survival skills but life skills to help them be successful contributors to our communities, our Commonwealth and our country,” said Dowling, who has been involved with the scouts as a member, volunteer and staff person for most of his life. “It is more important than ever to invest in the leadership and character development of our youth, and scouting is an excellent opportunity to do that.”
Scouting organizations are typically recruiting new members and encouraging returning members to sign up during the month of September.
To further show support and raise awareness about the benefits of scouting, Dowling welcomed dozens of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, as well as young leaders within the organization, for a rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Several members joined the rally to voice their support for the program and the young people it helps to prepare to serve as future leaders. The rally may be viewed in its entirety at
RepDowling.com.
According to
House Resolution 470, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization has nearly 2.5 million youth members between the ages of 6 and 20, as well as approximately 960,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
The BSA offers rank advancement and merit badge awards to foster athleticism, nature and survival skills, and citizenship development as a means of encouraging maturity, capability and self-confidence.
The organization also promotes community service. It is estimated that, in 2014, Eagle Scout projects provided more than $183 million in service to their communities across the nation and more than 14 million hours of service at a value of more than $323 million.
In addition to the resolution, Dowling has also founded a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Boy Scout Caucus to give lawmakers the opportunity to show their support for the organization’s youth development and moral character programs.
For more information about the Boy Scouts, visit
scouting.org.
Rep. Matt Dowling talks about the importance of scouting programs at a Capitol Rally in support of the Boy Scouts of America.
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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