William H. Frist: “yesterday, tens of thousands of Scouts began arriving at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia to attend the National Scout…”

“yesterday, tens of thousands of Scouts began arriving at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia to attend the National Scout Jamboree. Held every 4 years at the Army base, the jamboree draws Scouts, leaders, and volunteers from around the world. The Scouts will spend the next 10 days participating in outdoor activities like archery; fishing; and geocoaching, a GPS-based scavenger hunt. One Scout told the Washington Post: It's just a lot fun. There's so much to do here. You get to see so many people from all around and they have all sorts of activities. For the local community, the jamboree has been a great financial boost. Just this year alone, the event has pumped $26 million into the community. The Scouts have spent $20 million on base improvements, including road paving and plumbing upgrades. Unfortunately, this great summer Scouting tradition may come to an end. The reason? Because the Scouting oath includes an oath of duty to a higher power. Despite decades of public support for Scouting, one Federal judge has ruled that the Pentagon can no longer provide its facilities as a matter of church and state. Because of this lawsuit by the ACLU, 40,000 Scouts are in danger of being denied permission to hold their jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, or any other publicly supported venue. That is why I am offering the Support Our Scouts Act of 2005. These young people need our help and our voices to protect a great tradition.…”