Committee approves resolution allowing Boy Scouts to use House chamber for Eagle Scout recognition

The House Committee on Consent voted 8-0 to approve House Resolution 20, authorizing the Boy Scouts of Americaspecifically the Great Rivers Eagle Scout Association and the Great Rivers Councilto use the House chamber on Feb. 17 from 12 to 2 p.m. to recognize Eagle Scouts from the 2024 calendar year.

Representative John Voss, R., of District 147 in Cape Girardeau, introduced the measure and said he was continuing a longstanding tradition previously handled by former Representative Michael O'Donnell. "This resolution would authorize the Boy Scouts of America and specifically the Great Rivers Eagle Scout Association and the Great Rivers Council use of the House chamber on February 17 from 12 till 2 p.m.," Voss said.

The resolution drew brief committee discussion and one public supporter. Representative Hovis asked Voss about his personal connection to Scouting; Voss said he earned Eagle Scout status in 1981 and noted that several family members and his three sons are Eagle Scouts. An attendee identified in the transcript as a state public advocate voiced support: "It's a very honorable thing to allow the Boy Scouts to do, and I don't have any qualms with that," the witness said.

After public testimony, a committee member moved that House Resolution 20 be reported "do pass." The committee recorded an affirmative vote. The committee clerk announced the tally as 8 to 0 in favor of a do-pass recommendation on House Resolution 20.

With the vote completed, the committee concluded the public hearing and moved into executive session.

Why it matters: The resolution reserves chamber time for a civic recognition event that the sponsor described as a continuing practice. The committee action clears the permission step for use of the chamber on the stated date and time but does not, by text in the hearing, allocate funds or change statutory requirements.