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FOXX VOICES SUPPORT FOR BOY SCOUTS
Washington, DC,
February 9, 2005
Today U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) voted to strongly encourage the U.S. Department of Defense to continue to support the activities of the Boy Scouts of America. The Department has shared its resources with the scouts for over 30 years w
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE However, the Pentagon recently informed American military bases that they should not sponsor Boy Scout troops because the scouts are required to swear an oath to God. The Pentagon took this action to settle a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against the Department of Defense alleging a violation between the separation of church and state. “The Boy Scouts of America is an outstanding organization. It teaches young boys time honored values such as loyalty, preparedness, citizenship and character. To deprive this organization of support simply because they swear an oath to God is beyond comprehension,” said Rep. Foxx. Approximately one million children are enrolled in the Boy Scouts. Troops often use Department of Defense facilities such as military bases to hold meetings and jamborees because many would not be able to afford the use of a private facility. “To let the ACLU dictate policies that infringe upon scouts’ right to continue their time honored traditions and exercise their First Amendment right of free worship is unconscionable,” said Rep. Foxx. “I applaud Chairman Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) for bringing this important issue to the floor.” ### |