Save Our Scouts

Recently, the City of Philadelphia began efforts to evict the local Boy Scout council from their offices. This is a difficult issue. I don't necessarily agree with the Scouts on their position on homosexuals and adult leadership. I don't agree that punishing the local councils for a national policy helps anyone, and that in the end the kids are the losers. I thought I would share the letter I wrote.

Secretary Alphonso Jackson
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410

Dear Secretary Jackson:

The City of Philadelphia is moving to evict the Boy Scouts of America from their headquarters at 22nd and Winter Streets. This is in direct response to the national scouting organizations policy of barring avowed homosexuals from serving as leaders. The Scouts were vindicated in their right to set membership standards by the Supreme Court’s Dale decision.

Currently two acts, the Support Our Scouts Act and Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, have been enacted that protect the rights of the Boy Scouts. This move by the city to force the Scouts to pay market rates on a building they have held for 80 years is clearly retaliation for standing up for their principals (i.e. viewpoint discrimination). Additionally, the local council has been hamstrung by the national office in their efforts to appease the city. In the end, the people who lose are the children.

There is no reason to evict the Scouts except to make a political point. Since the city is clearly violating one or both of the two acts noted above, what are you going to do to enforce the statutes? I hope to see some action by HUD in support of Scouting.

Sincerely,



Bruce G. Andersen

cc: Senator Specter
Senator Casey
Mayor Street

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Senator Arlen Specter Philadelphia Office 600 Arch Street, Suite 9400 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Senator Bob Casey Harrisburg Office 555 Walnut Street, First Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101

Mayor John F. Street Room 215 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107