Boy Scouts of America Silver Dollar Centennial Commemorative Coin Legislation

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Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Coin MockupA new House bill recently introduced to celebrate the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) with the minting of a commemorate silver dollar has exceptionally strong bipartisan support.

Rep Pete Sessions [R-TX] introduced the new bill on April 22, 2008. The bill looks to be soundly popular with an already 296 cosponsors lined up to provide their early signature for the "100 Years of Scouting" commemorative coin.

Rep. Sessions commented,

 

“Boy Scouts are a significant part of American culture, shaping the values, citizenship, and skills of millions of young men,” Sessions stated. “As an Eagle Scout with four generations of Boy Scouts in my family, I strongly value the Boy Scouts’ history of instilling a sense of duty to God, country, and self.”

 

Not altogether surprising, in the 110th Congress, 248 members of the House of Representative and the Senate have participated in Boy Scouts of America as Scouts or adult leaders.

The bill, H.R. 5872, is entitled the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act and calls for 350,000 silver $1 coins to be minted in 2010. The collector coin would contain 90% silver and 10% copper.

Given the history of the organization and the support of congress, this bill would seem a likely candidate for passage. It is now under consideration in the House Committee on Financial Services.

In addition to the commemorative coin initiative, Sessions is also building support for a U.S. postage stamp to celebrate “100 Years of Scouting.” Currently, Sessions has garnered the support of over 320 Senators and Members of Congress for a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General, requesting a commemorative stamp for the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.

In 1960, the United States Postal Office celebrated the Boy Scouts of America’s 50th Anniversary with the introduction of the 4 cent commemorative stamp depicting a Scout holding up the Scout sign.

Boy Scouts of America History

The Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910. Since then, over 111 million youth have enjoyed one of the many Scouting programs.

According to the BSA website,

 

The Scouting movement is composed of 1.2 million volunteers, whose dedication of time and resources has enabled the BSA to remain the nation’s leading youth-service organization. Serving more than 4.6 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age, with more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the BSA is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

 

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to:

 

" prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law."

 

Scouting members and leaders pledge with their Scout Oath to:

 

"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."

 

In similar fashion, their Scout Law states a Scout must be:

 

"Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent."

 

Surcharges for the Boy Scouts commemorative coin

Commemorative coins normally have a surcharge and the proposed Boy Scouts of American coin is no different. Should H.R. 5872 become law, each commemorative coin sold would include a $10 surcharge for the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation.

The foundation supports Scouting in ways that complement efforts of local councils and other Scouting organizations. Their objective is to:

 

"… financially support the mission, values and programs of local councils of the Boy Scouts of America and Scouting organizations throughout the world by promoting and soliciting gifts, grants, and matching funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations interested in supporting Scouting both nationally and internationally."

 

Editor’s note: H.R. 5872 is now law. Both the House and Senate passed the legislation and President Bush signed it into law (Public Law No: 110-363) October 8, 2008.

The text of H.R. 5872: Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act


110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5872

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes.



IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


April 22, 2008

Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. AKIN, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. BACA, Mrs. BACHMANN, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. BECERRA, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. BONNER, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. BOREN, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. BOYD of Florida, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida, Mr. BUCHANAN, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. BUYER, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. CAMP of Michigan, Mr. CAMPBELL of California, Mr. CANNON, Mr. CANTOR, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. CARDOZA, Mr. CARNAHAN, Mr. CASTLE, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. CHANDLER, Mr. CLAY, Mr. COBLE, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. COOPER, Mr. COSTA, Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. CROWLEY, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky, Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. DENT, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. DICKS, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. DONNELLY, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. DOYLE, Mrs. DRAKE, Mr. DREIER, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. ELLSWORTH, Mrs. EMERSON, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. ETHERIDGE, Mr. EVERETT, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. FORBES, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. FORTUN.AE6O, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. FOSTER, Ms. FOXX, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. GOODE, Mr. GOODLATTE, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. GRAVES, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. HAYES, Mr. HELLER of Nevada, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. HERGER, Mr. HILL, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HOBSON, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. HOLT, Mr. HULSHOF, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. ISSA, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. JEFFERSON, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. JORDAN of Ohio, Mr. KANJORSKI, Mr. KELLER of Florida, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. KIND, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. KIRK, Mr. KLINE of Minnesota, Mr. KNOLLENBERG, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. LAMPSON, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. LATOURETTE, Mr. LATTA, Mr. LEWIS of California, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, Mr. LINDER, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. LUCAS, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. MACK, Mr. MAHONEY of Florida, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. MCCARTHY of California, Mr. MCCAUL of Texas, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. MCHENRY, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. MCKEON, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. MICA, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. MOLLOHAN, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. MURTHA, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mrs. MYRICK, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. NUNES, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. OLVER, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. PASTOR, Mr. PAUL, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. PENCE, Mr. PERLMUTTER, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. PETRI, Mr. PICKERING, Mr. PITTS, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. POE, Mr. POMEROY, Mr. PORTER, Mr. PRICE of Georgia, Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. RADANOVICH, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. REGULA, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. REICHERT, Mr. RENZI, Mr. REYES, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. ROGERS of Michigan, Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. ROSKAM, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. ROSS, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. SALI, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California, Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. SCHIFF, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SHULER, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. SKELTON, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. SPRATT, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. SULLIVAN, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. TAYLOR, Mr. TERRY, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. TURNER, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. UPTON, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, Mr. WALSH of New York, Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. WAMP, Mr. WEINER, Mr. WELCH of Vermont, Mr. WELDON of Florida, Mr. WELLER of Illinois, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. WHITFIELD of Kentucky, Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. WOLF, Mr. WU, Mr. WYNN, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, and Mr. YOUNG of Alaska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services




A BILL

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
      (1) The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its centennial on February 8, 2010.
      (2) The Boy Scouts of America is the largest youth organization in the United States, with 3,000,000 youth members and 1,000,000 adult leaders in the traditional programs of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing.
      (3) Since 1910, more than 111,000,000 youth have participated in Scouting’s traditional programs.
      (4) The Boy Scouts of America was granted a Federal charter in 1916 by an Act of the 64th Congress which was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson.
      (5) In the 110th Congress, 248 members of the House of Representative and the Senate have participated in Boy Scouts of America as Scouts or adult leaders.
      (6) The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is `to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law’.
      (7) Every day across our Nation, Scouts and their leaders pledge to live up the promise in 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’–and the Scout Law, according to which a Scout is `Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent’.
      (8) In the past 4 years alone, Scouting youth and their leaders have volunteered more than 6,500,000 hours of service to their communities through more than 75,000 service projects, benefiting food banks, local schools, and civic organizations.

SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) $1 Silver Coins- The Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the `Secretary’) shall mint and issue not more than 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, each of which shall–
      (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
      (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
      (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
    (b) Legal Tender- The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
    (c) Numismatic Items- For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

    (a) Design Requirements-
      (1) IN GENERAL- The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the 100 years of the largest youth organization in United States, the Boy Scouts of America.
      (2) DESIGNATION AND INSCRIPTIONS- On each coin minted under this Act, there shall be–
        (A) a designation of the value of the coin ;
        (B) an inscription of the year `2010′; and
        (C) inscriptions of the words `Liberty’, `In God We Trust’, `United States of America’, and `E Pluribus Unum’.
    (b) Selection- The design for the coins minted under this Act shall be–
      (1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
      (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

    (a) Quality of Coins- Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (b) Mint Facility- Only one facility of the United States Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act.
    (c) Period for Issuance- The Secretary may issue coins under this Act only on or after February 8, 2010, and before January 1, 2011.

SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

    (a) Sale Price- The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of–
      (1) the face value of the coins;
      (2) the surcharge provided in section 7 with respect to such coins; and
      (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping).
    (b) Bulk Sales- The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
    (c) Prepaid Orders-
      (1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such coins.
      (2) DISCOUNT- Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General- All sales of coins issued under this Act shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin .
    (b) Distribution- Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be paid to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, which funds will be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard to serve areas.
    (c) Audits- The Comptroller General of the United States shall have the right to examine such books, records, documents, and other data of the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation as may be related to the expenditures of amounts paid under subsection (b).

 

Also see Boy Scouts Commemorative Coins.

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Fred Goodwin

I’m not a coin collector, but I am a Scout volunteer, and I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years of the Boy Scouts of America. Rep. Sessions is also sponsoring a letter to the Postal Service asking them to issue a 100th Anniversary of BSA commemorative stamp.

2010 will certainly be a special year for the Boy Scouts of America!

Dave Wegmann

Well said, Ted. With only 350,000 minted, and millions of Scouters nationwide, this is sure to be a popular issuance.

Philip Velez

As a professional Scouter I am estatic to hear about the minted coin. The idea of a commemorative stamp is also a great idea too. 100 years strong and many more years to come!

M. J. Faust

I can hardly wait until the sale begins. Hopefully I will be one of the lucky 350,000. As a Scouter, I look forward to purchasing this peace of history. I am also eager to purchase the commerative stamps–to save for the future and to place on mail to show support for this great organization.

Warren D. Monroe

Being quite involved in Scouting and not a collector, nor having any idea how the distibution would go, how would one purchase these coins. They would be great gifts for scouts acheiving the rank of Eagle.

Corinna Woods

I have been a scouting volunteer for twenty one years and cannot wait for our one hundredth anniversary!!! It is wonderful for congress to recognize such an outstanding organization for our youth!!!

Kudos to Congress and our wonderful volunteers!!

ALBERT E. CAHILL

I hope I can obtain 5 – one for each opf the Eagles in our Family
My two brothers and I – and my two sons !

Galvin

I have been a Scout leader for 10+ years and as a youth for 3. I hope that BSA will be able take advantage of this marketing oppurtunity to make more youth and adults aware of this great program. THANK YOU to all of the Representatives that voted in support of this program. THANK YOU TO ALL SUPPORTERS OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU TO OUR FUTURE LEADERS.

Suzanne Durham

I am so proud of the BSA to be recognized in this manner. I have an Eagle scout and he ‘lives and breathes’ scouts and is 43 years old! He is the one who sent me this website! He goes to all of the national jamborees and is active with his council and attends the international jamborees, as well, the last one was held in England the home of Baden Powell. His home is adorned with paintings, and all of the scouting items from all over the world. And to think, I sent him on his bike to a fire… Read more »

David Vaughan

As an actice Scouter and as an Eagle Scout I am very happy with the creation of this new coin. I hope that Scouters and Scouts nation wide purchase this new coin.

John Pritchard

While I appreciate its value for coin collectors, that’s what it is..a collector’s piece. It won’t be in general circulation like other coins…less advertising for the movement and most Americans will never see one let alone hold one. I think the centennial stamp gives more bang for the buck as stamps are everyplace and there are no $10 surcharges on them.

Fred Goodwin

John, do you have any info on the centennial stamp?

David M.LeVine

Both my wife and I have been involved in Scouting for almost 30 years and there is never enough positive said in the media regarding the importance of the National Scouting program. This commemorative coin for Scouting is a great way to help advertise the organization

April Hale

I think that it is a wonderful Idea to commemorate Scouting with a coin. My Husband and I are the proud parents of 2 Eagle Scouts. What better way to show a positive look on Scouting.

Jim O'Briant

Wonderful idea.
I would hope that every Scout and Scouter would be able to obtain one. With a max of 350,000 it seems very unlikely. Perhaps a “special” issuance for current and past registered scouts and scouters would work.

ALBERT E. CAHILL

Great idea – I wilkl propse toi iour Twin River Council Camporee to be held at Fort Ticoderoga Oxcrovwe 3 – 5 – that we obtain a few of the commorative coins to recognize Fistrictive Scout and Scouters (catagories to be determined.

Alex Ricciuti

As a youth who has been in Scouting since the First Grade, I think this is a wonderful idea though I only wish that there was a way to make more one for each Scout and Scouter alike. I will however be sending this article to the Occoneechee Council Main office to help advertise this remarkable idea!!!

Paul Yelk

As an individual who is completing 52 years in the scouting movement (Aug 2008), I agree that both the coin and the stamp are great ideas!

I will be sending e-mails to my Senators encouraging them to support this when it is before the US Senate.

Lanny Rhodes

Hooray for all those who voted in favor of this House bill. Hwoever, it is a shame that only 350,000 were approved. There will be a lot of greedy collectors who will gobble up a bunch of them, but there will also be many true collectors of Scouting memorabilia who will want one. Then, there will be literally tens of thousands of Boy Scouts and adult Scouters who will want one or several for momentos and for gifts, as evidenced by the many previous responses. I understand the importance of a “limited edition,” but this will just drive the price… Read more »

Alan

I will be ordering at least 20 when they come out to pass down to kids in my den and others.

I really think 350,000 is a very small number and they will be sold before they are even minted. When is the pre-ordering starting?

Paul Yelk

You can sign up for e-mails from the mint. Just go to their web site.

I would not be surprised if the mint places a “per order” limit due to the limited number of coins to be minted.

Wonder if there’s any way to get Congress to increase the quantity???

Brad

Considering that the scouts 100th Jamboree takes place in 2010. I think the coins should not be released until the day after the event begins. Additionally I think all scouts attending should have first rights to buy the new Commemorative coin. I also believe that there should be 100 coins set aside and put in a special presentation case. Many fathers got their boys into scouting. Some of them should have something of recognition. The 100 set should include the history of scouting and have several original signatures of high profile eagle scouts. These should be given to the BSA… Read more »

kerryn boratto

My son will be part of the Australian contingent taking part in the Jamboree. I hope I am able to secure him a coin as a reminder of his trip to the USA.

Robin Lionheart

I hope this movement get defeated. It’s scandalous how much public money is given to a private religious organization, particularly one that fosters bigotry against gays: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scouting’s values and beliefs.” (BSALegal.org, “Morally Straight”) and pagans and nonbelievers: “The Boy Scouts… Read more »

Paul Yelk

It is very obvious that Robin is anti-BSA! And that he can not read.

If he were to very carefully read the law, he would discover that there are NO public dollars involved in this commemorative coin.

The law says the US Mint can keep all the money necessary to cover their costs. Anything above that is provided to the National BSA Foundation!

So where’s the public money???? Only in his mind!
And it’s a little late to block this as it’s already public law and the first of several designs has already been submitted for design review.

Robin Lionheart

So from what you’re saying, although the public money will be recouped, our government is fundraising for the BSA. That’s just as bad.

Yes, it’s wrong for our government to support any private religious organization, but it’s particularly unconscionable when that organization teaches children religious bigotry.

Paul Yelk

It is obvious you know nothing about how the US Treasury and the US Congress interact. Without the permission of the US Congress, the US Treasury can NOT mint ANY commemorative coins! The Congress writes the legislation and has to get both houses AND THE PRESIDENT to sign the legislation. Without this approval, the legislation is just a piece of paper. If you don’t like the legislation, you should have contacted your federal representatives and ask them to not sign the legislation. Did you bother to contact them? I doubt it! I know I contacted ALL of my federal representatives… Read more »

Robin Lionheart

Is there a point to your summary of how an act becomes law? I watched Schoolhouse Rock too, you know. I’m not surprised at all that George W. Bush signed off on this, but that’s quite irrelevant. As a supporter of this legislation, would you also also support an act directing the Treasury to issue a coin commemorating the American Civil Liberties Union, and donating all the profits from the sale of those coins to the ACLU directly? Why or why not? You say its “too late to complain”. Our freedom of speech gives us an unlimited right to complain… Read more »

kay

What is all the problem with scouts and religion . My son went to the world scout jamboree. For 12 days he camped and worked along side scouts from every nation and of every religion . They all promoted the One World One Promise They all worked for peace. There was no riots , no killings, no fightings,They all stood side by side as SCOUTS. My son collected a special scout coin from the UK and one from Australia. I cried with pride. May be it is us that need to think outside the box.

Mary

How intolerant of Robin! He/she obviously knows little about Scouting, to spout off the usual talking points of the pro-gay, anti-Scouts agenda. To insist that everyone following the pro-gay mindthink, as if no other opinions or beliefs are worthy. And to do that while deceitfully arguing with facts that are not true or are half-truths. The best way to deal with such intolerant bigotry is to simply ignore it. To respond further is to act with the assumption that intolerant bigots’ opinions are worthy of consideration, a view they do not deserve.

Robin Lionheart

How dare I be intolerant of intolerance! It’s the “people who oppose our bigotry are the real bigots” canard. Shame on you, Mary, for attempting such a deceitful argument. Pluck that log out of thine own eye.

Robin Lionheart

By the way, Mary, I love that anti-intellectual neologism “mindthink”. Ooh, how disgraceful to think with your _mind_. Would you prefer “heartthink”, perhaps?

Fred Goodwin

Please don’t feed the trolls . . .

Robert Lee

Robin, being a member and leader in the scouting organization, I know that the BSA lets a boy and their adult partners believe in any form of religion that they choose. If they do not believe in a “God”, then that is fine too. Yes, the BSA is an organization that is built on a religious basis, but we do not discourage or try and convert anyone to any religious preference. Everyones “God” is different just as every boy is different. BSA tries to teach boys how to become moral, respectful, law abiding citizens. Do your homework on the organization… Read more »

Robin Lionheart

I did do my homework, Robert. See where I quoted the BSA’s bylaws above? That’s research.

Troops have refused to admit, or kicked out, actual boys for being gay. This is not hypothetical. It has happened. And the message that sends to the boys in those troops is not how to become moral, respectful citizens.

Practice what you preach, Robert. Do your homework on the organization and make yourself familiar not just with the good things it’s doing but also the bad things.