Today's Update, with a comment from me.

Here is the latest on the Senate Bill introduced by Senator Hensley. If passed, the bill would require the State Board of Education to issue a teacher's license to me. My comment can be found below the story.

Happy Birthday, BSA!

This week the Boy Scouts of America celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in the U.S. A Chicago businessman, William Boyce, was inspired to establish the organization after a visit to London where he was given directions by a Boy Scout who was doing his daily good deed. I became an Eagle Scout as was my father and older brother. Our family now includes four additional Eagle Scouts, my son and three nephews. I've been to two National Jamborees (Colorado Springs, Valley Forge) as a Scout, two National Jamborees (Ft. A.P. Hill) as an adult leader, one international Scout campout (Great Britain) as a Scout, and one World Jamboree (The Netherlands) as an adult leader. I've been to Philmont Scout Ranch twice and taken canoe trips in the Quetico-Superior Boundary Waters area on three occasions. I've served as President and as Commissioner of our local Scout Council and I've been fortunate to make many lifelong friends through Scouting. God Bless this fine organization.

The Latest

Here's the latest move to get my state teacher's license. The background is that a few months ago, a friend of mine who is a lobbyist, offered to approach the House and Senate leadership about getting me licensed. He was personally outraged at the vote of the State Board of Education denying my license. I offered to contact Senator Hensley about supporting an effort to have a bill introduced requiring the BOE to license me. I have known Senator Hensley for many years, dating back to when he was a young legislator and I was Mayor of Topeka. He supported many of our local initiatives. Now, Senator Hensley, who is himself a public school teacher, is the longest-tenured member of the Kansas Legislature and a strong advocate for education issues.

I e-mailed Sen. Hensley two weeks ago. He never responded to my e-mail, and I thought the matter was hopeless. Yesterday, the Topeka Capital Journal contacted me and asked me for a comment about Senate Bill No. 487. I had not seen the Bill, but obviously, Senator Hensley thought the idea has merit. I am grateful for his support.

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UPDATE: The Topeka Capital-Journal weighs in on this important issue, finding my pursuit of a teacher's license to be admirable and sincere, and even offering that I am rehabilitated. But, they oppose Senator Hensley's bill, suggesting it is a misues of the legislative process. They may be right.