Did President Obama refuse to sign certificates for Eagel ScoutsSnopescom?

Answer 1

No, he has never refused. This is another anti-Obama myth that has circulated on the internet, but there is no truth to it.

The President of the US is the honorary President of he BSA and his signature appears on Eagle certificates along with the signatures of the National President of the BSA, he BSA's National Commissioner and the BSA's Chief Scout Executive. In recent years about 50,000 Eagle Awards have been earned annually so it is understandable that the certificates are pre-printed with the signatures, not hand signed. Scouts earning Eagle get the certificates signed by the current or last president until supplies are depleted and then certificates signed by the new President as they are printed and become available.

So depending on the exact time of the award and available supplies of the certificates a Scout may get one signed by the current President, the recently departed President, or one with the Presidential signature line left blank. The latter occurs when there is a lapse in the availability of certificates with presidential signatures (the old ones run out before the new ones come in). This is done in order to not delay the awarding of the certificate.

If a Scout is issued a non-signed certificate but would like one that is signed they can get one, at no charge, by contacting their local Scout Council.

Answer 2

No. President Obama is the Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a former Scout himself (in Indonesia!).

It took a few weeks at the start of the administration to get cards printed that said "President Barack Obama," and some of those cards were delayed -- but he's been sending notes to Eagle Scouts from the start, as have many presidents since Wilson.

This claim is part of an internet, anti-Obama hoax.

If you check the news, as I have my readers set, you'll find stories every week about Eagle Scout Courts of Honor and the list of people who send congratulatory notes to the new Eagles; President Obama is often mentioned.

Obama meets with a delegation of Scouts every February on the anniversary of the Founding of Scouting, the annual Report to the Nation. As part of the national charter granted to Scouting, there must be an annual report filed with the Congress. BSA usually sends a couple of Cub Scouts, a Boy Scout, a Sea Scout, a Venture Scout, and the National Order of the Arrow Chief to make the report. You can find a few pictures of these reports at the White House website, or at the website of Scouting Magazine.