WHEREAS, In 1912, Arthur A. Carey founded Sea Scouts, a division of the Boy Scouts of America that focuses on traditional nautical activities, with the Boy Scout Training Ship Pioneer in Boston; and

WHEREAS, For 100 years, Sea Scouts has provided young people with positive opportunities through hands-on maritime experiences; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has championed responsible boating to guard against water accidents; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has partnered with civic organizations promoting safe boating, environmental conservation, and community service; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scouts has inspired California’s youth to join maritime industries and competitive sailing; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Sea Scouts have served in the United States Armed Forces and defended their country, as exemplified by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s statement that 40 percent of the men under his command in World War II had been Boy Scouts and they had won 60 percent of the decorations for valor, a fact that constituted “full justification of ... faith in the Sea Scouts”; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scouts is currently a specialized segment of the Boy Scout’s Venturing program for young adult men and women, with the purpose of addressing members’ boating skills and promoting knowledge of our maritime heritage; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scouts in California hosts the largest Sea Scout competitive and safety training events in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Sea Scout units, called “ships,” focus on sailing and cruising either sailboats or power vessels, whereby Sea Scouts learn to maintain and operate the vessel, with a focus on learning the safe and proper methods of handling boats, as well as learning the meaning of buoys and lights, how to take advantage of wind and tide, and how to drop anchor and approach a dock; and

WHEREAS, The policy of the Boy Scouts of America, and therefore a policy of the Sea Scouts, which bars from membership or leadership positions otherwise qualified individuals solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or religious belief, causes harm to the innumerable youth and adults who, regardless of their hard work and merits, are denied the opportunity to participate in any way in the Boy Scouts of America and Sea Scouts; and

WHEREAS, The discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America and the Sea Scouts is contrary to the policy of the State of California; and

WHEREAS, Other similar organizations, such as the Girl Scouts, Camp Fire USA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, serve as role models for the Boy Scouts of America and Sea Scouts because they do not discriminate against youth and adults; now, therefore, be it