Morrell Says Partisanship Killed His Resolution Honoring Boy Scouts' 102nd Anniversary

The state assemblyman for Redlands and Loma Linda said Tuesday that political partisanship killed his resolution honoring and commemorating the 102nd Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 94, recognizing the history of the Boy Scouts, their accomplishments, and contributions, was authored by Assemblyman Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga.

"It is unfortunate that the Legislature could not move past its own political agenda to simply honor an organization like the Boy Scouts for their community service for over a century," Morrell said in a prepared statement distributed by his staff. "I am honored to support the Boy Scouts and their many avenues of tireless giving to our communities."

ACR 94 was killed on a party-line vote, with Republican members supporting, and majority Democratic members voting no, Morrell's staff said.

Morrell declined to take an amendment from the Democrats that included language chastising the Scout's resistance on the matter of sexual orientation in leadership, Morrell's staff said.

"I authored ACR 94 for us to join together and honor the Boy Scouts," Morrell said. "This body should not inject their will or their politics into this private, non-profit organization.

"I just simply wanted to honor and say 'thanks' for the Scout's long-standing 102 years of contributions to our nation and our world. This is one small way to recognize an organization that started the training in young men that led to achieving medical breakthroughs, astronauts, politicians, and civic leaders that have transformed our communities."

Morrell represents the 63rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Redlands, Loma Linda, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Highland, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Bernardino, Upland and Yucaipa.