Kahn's Corner for the week of November 13, 2008: Boy Scouts
Friday, November 14, 2008
This week a bill to create a fundraising license plate recognizing the Boy Scouts of America was approved by the Michigan Senate.
I sponsored Senate Bill 1557 to help the Boy Scouts of America raise funds so they can continue to develop future leaders in communities across the state and maintain a high level of programming.
The Boy Scouts have already raised the $15,000 startup fee required by law, so there will be no cost to Michigan taxpayers.
Under current law the secretary of state is allowed to develop up to eight state-sponsored fundraising registration plates and matching collection plates at one time. My bill would remove that limitation.
Ithaca Boy Scout Troop 631 Scoutmaster Steve Bakker and his son Gerrit Bakker, an Eagle Scout attending Ithaca High School, recently traveled to Lansing to testify before a Senate committee in support of the bill.
According to Steve Bakker, at least 17 states across the country offer a Boy Scout license plate and four additional states have such plates pending. Florida offers 119 specialty plates, while Ohio has 89 different plates. Currently, Michigan offers 24 fundraising plates.
More than 140,000 Michigan youth serve in the Boy Scouts of America. The Michigan Boy Scouts have been working to create a fundraising plate since 2000 when special plates were first announced.
The Boy Scouts of America is an organization based on values. The group truly excels at instilling a sense of community in our youth. According to the Scouter’s Digest, 26 of the first 29 astronauts were Boy Scouts and 75 percent of Military Academy graduates were Boy Scouts.
I look forward to seeing the House of Representatives take up this important bill in the near future.
Roger Kahn, MD
State Senator, 32nd District
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