CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 607 ON CELEBRATING THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, In May 2021, Boy Scout Troop 607, chartered by Bethany Union Church, celebrated their 100-year anniversary on May 19, 2021; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this momentous occasion by the Honorable Matthew J. O'Shea, Alderman ofthe 19th Ward; and
WHEREAS, On a Tuesday evening on February 16,1915, a meeting was held at Bethany Union Church on the Southwest Side of the City to create programs that would serve the boys and girls in the community; at that meeting, it was decided that two scout troops would be formed - one for the boys, and one for the girls - and that the participating youth were to be at least 12 years old; on October 30, 1915, the two scout troops had their first Halloween party together at the church; and
WHEREAS, In March 1917, a new Boy Scout Troop was organized and 15 boys enrolled; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1921, Bethany Union Church sent an application to the Boy Scouts of America, and a few weeks later the church received its charter; and
WHEREAS, The scouting program offered rank advancement and the opportunity to earn merit badges; the boys learned all types of skills, from first aid, to cooking, camping, and how to survive in the wilderness; during most ofthe early years, the annual Scout show presented by the boys was one of the biggest events around; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Bethany Union Church has recognized Troop 607 on Boy Scout Sunday, not only as a character building organization, but also for the many contributions the scouts have made to the program, the church, and the community; and
WHEREAS, Very few troops have been active for 100 years; Troop 607 has had thousands of members participate over the ten decades it has been active, and members of Troop 607 have camped thousands of nights, earned numerous Merit Badges, and volunteered countless service hours; and
WHEREAS, Troop 607 has produced 240 Eagle Scouts, the highest rank a scout can earn, and many ofthe Troop's scouts have earned the God and Country Award, a patch that is allowed to be worn next to the Eagle Scout Rank patch; and
WHEREAS, Many of Troop 607's past scouts have served in the military, starting with World War II; eight ofthe Troop's scouts made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country: Edward Dougherty, Kenneth Gilson, James Hare, William Kline, Bert Kullerstrand, Charles Lassman, Bonneville Smith, and Jack Snyder; and
WHEREAS, Several of Troop 607's scouts have become police officers, firemen, and first responders'as well as doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, tradesmen, husbands, fathers, and scout leaders; the members continue today to live the Scout Oath, "On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country" - commitments that the members of Troop 607 honor every day; and
WHEREAS, The members Troop 607 do their best every day to live the Scout Law: A scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-third day of February, 2022, do hereby congratulate Boy Scout Troop 607 on their 100-year anniversary, thank them for ten decades of service to the Chicago community, and wish them continued growth and success in all of their future endeavors; and
MATTHEW J. O'SHEA Alderman, 19th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Boy Scout Troop 607.
