[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 TROOP 33 OF PLEASANT VALLEY, NEW YORK CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF SCOUTING 
                               EXCELLENCE

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, as someone who has been associated with 
Scouting most of my life, I take great pleasure in saying a few words 
today about Troop 33, Boy Scouts of America, in Pleasant Valley, NY.
  Troop 33, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this Sunday, February 
6, is one of the most accomplished troops in the Nation.
  What is the secret to the success of Troop 33? Leadership. 
Specifically, there has been a continuity to troop operations because 
of the experience of the troop committee and the enthusiasm of 
assistant scoutmasters. Now under the able direction of Gary Aber, 
troop leaders total more than 200 years of Scouting experience. Many of 
them were former members of Troop 33.
  This leadership certainly shows in the direction of the troop's 
ongoing paper recycling project, which saves Pleasant Valley an 
estimated $30,000 per year in waste removal costs.
  During the past year, scouts from Troop 33 have also participated in 
the National Jamboree, Adirondack canoeing, and hikes in Appalachia and 
Gettysburg. Troop 33 scouts have also been involved in fund raising for 
various Pleasant Valley charitable campaigns, as well as the Huck Finn 
and Pleasant Valley Days celebrations.
  After undergoing that kind of apprenticeship, Troop 33 Scouts have 
gone on to excel in the worlds of business, the military, and academia. 
Troop 33 alumni have fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert 
Storm. Besides patriotism, a love of knowledge is also instilled in 
Troop 33 scouts. Recently, a former Troop 33 scout recorded the highest 
semester grade average ever achieved at Cornell University.
  Such success later in life is the result of Troop 33's objectives of 
building citizenship, character, and moral skills. This, in turn, has 
lead to instilling confidence and pride in the boys.
  And now, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to single out one of the alumni of 
Troop 33. When the troop gets together at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian 
Church Sunday to celebrate their anniversary, one of the guests of 
honor will be Donald Marshall, the only surviving charter member of 
Troop 33 still living in the area.
  Finally, I ask all members of this House, many of whom are products 
of scouting themselves, to join me in saluting Mr. Marshall, Mr. Aber, 
and all of the Scouts and Scoutmasters who have made Troop 33 one of 
the best in America.

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