The Phil-list Nov_2004: RE: [Philmont]: Boy Scouts Equal Access

From: Robert Jenkins <rjenkins@gulftel.com>
Date: Tue Nov 09 2004 - 14:52:44 CST

We need your help

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-PHILMONT@troop47.com [mailto:owner-PHILMONT@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Pete Swiggum
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 1:13 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list PHILMONT
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Boy Scouts Equal Access Regulation, Comments
Solicited

Dr. Bob and others....

It's been told to me that National is, in fact, aware of the Act and is
monitoring the situation. Apparently, something will be going out to the
councils in the near future.

Pete

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Bob Klein" <drbob@troop111.org>
To: "Multiple recipients of list PHILMONT" <PHILMONT@troop47.com>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 5:08 AM
Subject: [Philmont]: Boy Scouts Equal Access Regulation, Comments Solicited

> Friends: This is not a Philmont issue, but a very important Boy Scout
> issue. I requested and received permission from the List Administrator
> before publishing it. Those who have no interest in non-Philmont topics
> may stop here and delete without harm, with my apologies. Everyone
> else, I hope you will act upon this, and forward it across your own
> e-nets asap. Thanks.
>
> - Dr. Bob Klein, SM-111, Arlington, VA
>
>
> Preface: As you are aware, the BSA has lost access to public schools
> and other public facilities in many hundreds of school districts,
> especially in and around the large cities. We all know why, but in the
> interests of keeping this communication non-inflammatory, I will not
> comment further. In any case, these actions have greatly harmed
> recruiting in the BSA, especially in a some areas of the country. You
> may live in an area where such actions have not occurred, but believe me
> they are expanding nationwide, and quickly. Here in National Cap, we
> have either lost (or had greatly restricted) our access to the public
> schools in several of our large counties.
>
> The No Child Left Behind Act included the Equal Access regulation for
> ensuring access by the Scouts and similar "patriotic youth groups" to
> public schools. [BTW, this is one of the hidden reasons why some
> politicians were so vehemently opposed to the NCLB Act.] In my opinion
> this is the last good chance to recover and permanently retain our
> access to the schools and similar facilities such as public parks.
>
> Although this solicitation came out about 3 weeks ago, I just recently
> found out about the Regulation and invitation for commentary. The
> window to comment closes on December 3rd. BSA National doesn't appear
> to be doing anything about this, and really doesn't even seem to know
> about it, or its importance (I have notified my local Scout
> Professionals, and have asked them to get a move on). Numbers are
> *critical*. So basically, we have three weeks left to generate as many
> millions of positive comments as we possibly can, in order to ensure the
> passage of this regulation. Please participate, and please help spread
> the word.
>
> - Dr. Bob
>
> Here is the solicitation:
>
>
> Department of Education Solicits Comments for Equal Access for Scouts
> in Public School Facilities
>
> The U.S. Department of Education is seeking public comment on proposed
> regulations that guarantee equal access to public school facilities for
> the Boy Scouts of America and other patriotic youth groups, Secretary of
> Education Rod Paige announced today. On behalf of Secretary Paige,
> Assistant Secretary of Education Ray Simon and the Office for Civil
> Rights' Ken Marcus joined Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for an event to
> discuss the proposed regulations at Ellen Smith Elementary School in
> Conway, Ark.
>
> "The goal of these regulations is to ensure that the Boy Scouts and
> other patriotic youth groups have equal access to public facilities, and
> today's action is another step toward achieving this goal," Secretary
> Paige said.
>
> The proposed regulations enforce the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access
> Act, which requires public schools that receive federal education funds
> to provide the Boy Scouts and other designated patriotic youth
> organizations under federal law (including, among others, Big Brothers
> Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
> and Little League Baseball, Inc.) with equal access to school facilities
> as compared to outside community and youth groups. The law also requires
> that these patriotic youth groups be given equal access to school
> activities and school-related communication tools (e.g., bulletin
> boards) as compared to other outside community and youth groups.
> Congress passed the Boy Scouts Act as part of the bipartisan No Child
> Left Behind education reforms and charged the Department's Office for
> Civil Rights with enforcing the law.
>
> The proposed regulations will appear in an upcoming edition of the
> Federal Register and there is a 45-day public comment period from the
> date of publication. The Secretary expects to publish the final
> regulations after reviewing comments from the public.
>
> The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Boy Scouts have the right to
> set their own standards for leadership. Schools must respect that right
> and not exclude the Boy Scouts because of its membership and leadership
> policies and oath of allegiance to God and country.
>
> The Department invites public comment. Comments can be sent to Kenneth
> L. Marcus, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400
> Maryland Ave., S.W., Room 6095 Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, D.C.,
> 20202-1100. Comments also can be emailed to boyscoutscomments@ed.gov or
> www.regulations.gov.
>
> All public comments will be available for inspection both during and
> after the public comment period. Persons wishing to view the comments
> may do so at the Department of Education--Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th
> St. S.W., Room 6128, Washington, D.C., between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
> each business day except federal holidays.
>
> http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2004/10/10132004.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> -------------------------------------------------------
> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>

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Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

Received on Tue Nov 9 15:12:34 2004

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RE: [Philmont]: Boy Scouts Equal Access Regulation, Comments Solicited