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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2008
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.437.5355 or 1.814.271.9078

Let’s Not Forget Who These Boy Scouts Are, Traditional Values Group Says

(Philadelphia) -- A recent report on ABC Channel 6 tells of Troop 44 in Delaware County coming to the rescue of a wood duck and her new ducklings. The report has ‘a nice feel’ to it, but failed to mention the fact that Troop 44 is part of the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council (COLBSA) which the City of Philadelphia is trying to evict from their downtown Philadelphia headquarters. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide pro-family organization, believes omitting this information does a disservice to the community as well as Troop 44.

“Obviously the Glenolden community is appreciative of the efforts of the Troop 44 Scouts. I wonder how many know of this direct assault on the Scouts and would be outraged to know the City of Philadelphia is seeking to evict the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council if they don’t begin paying $200,000 in annual rent on a building the Scouts built and have maintained since 1929. Channel 6 would do a great service to Troop 44, by telling the eviction story also,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

According to COLBSA spokesman Jeff Jubilier, paying $200,000 annual rent to the City of Philadelphia means cutting 30 new Cub Scout packs, or 800 needy kids going to summer camp. Ultimately, Philadelphia is not concerned with the 64,000 boys that are serviced by COLBSA, they are only interested in making a political statement at the expensive of young men.

If the Scouts have to use $200,000 to pay rent for their headquarters, what will happen to the 40,000 boys from Philadelphia who are part of the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council? What will happen to the additional 50,000 school youth in grades K-12 who are part of the Learning for Life program? This program which is in over 135 schools in the three counties served by COLBSA encourages positive behavior, assists in building self-esteem and rewards positive work ethics.

“Boy Scouts do more than protect wood ducks, they also help in rescue efforts and during times of disaster. It would be a tragedy to penalize the Boy Scouts because of the policy banning open homosexuals and atheists. The Supreme Court has already ruled on the matter – as a private organization they can choose their leaders and members. Homosexuals who complain about the Scouts can start their own organization just as those who oppose the Girl Scouts current liberal leanings did when they started American Heritage Girls. The only explanation can be that homosexuals aren’t interested in having an organization for kids and teens who identify as homosexual to do things Scout do, they simply want to make an example of the Boys Scouts and remold them in their image,” further stated Gramley.

Channel 6 should tell this side of the story.

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