[Maas]

Thought you guys would like this:

From: Senator Bill Frist [mailto:Senator.Bill.Frist@publicaster.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 3:42 PM
Subject: Thanks!Giving


On Saturday I introduced a bill S. 3026 (“Save Our Scouts”) that I ask you to spread the word about. It reflects good ole commonsense. Last week the Pentagon directed American military bases worldwide to forego officially sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). This was in part a response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, which accuses the U.S. government of improperly supporting the BSA because “God” is mentioned in the oath.

This is merely the first salvo by the ACLU to end all federal support for the Boy Scouts of America. In their view, where there is government there cannot be faith.

I was a Boy Scout. Harrison, Jonathon, and Bryan were Scouts. The BSA is congressionally chartered. It serves a patriotic, charitable, and educational purpose, and the federal government’s support to the Boy Scouts is embodied in law. The Save Our Scouts bill reaffirms our longstanding commitment to the tradition of scouting by stating that no federal law, rule, regulation, or order shall limit any Federal agency from providing support to the Boy Scouts of America (or the Girl Scouts of America) -- including meetings, jamborees, camporees, or other scouting activities on federal property.

I encourage each and every one of you that believes in Scouting or takes offense at the actions of the ACLU, to write your Senator or Representative urging them to support S. 3026, the Frist “Save Our Scouts” bill.

I leave you with the wise words of George Washington in the first Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1789.

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to commend to the people of United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness, now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, Who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or will be."

Karyn and I and our three boys wish you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving.

Bill Frist

Maybe it will be enough.