[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
BOY SCOUTS REPORT TO THE NATION
______
HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 24, 1994
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, on March 16, the Boy Scouts of America
delivered their annual Report to the Nation to the President of the
United States, the Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore
of the Senate. Clerk of the House, Donn Anderson, hosted a breakfast
for the Scout delegation in the Capitol during which the Clerk received
the report on behalf of Speaker Foley and the Secretary of the Senate,
Joe Stewart, did likewise on behalf of the President pro tempore.
The Boy Scouts of America is founded on the highest ideals of
patriotism, citizenship, and moral rectiftude. The delegation is
composed of the most outstanding Scouts in the Nation who are set apart
by their example of service, leadership, and achievement.
As a former Boy Scout with the rank of Eagle, I am proud to include
for the Record, the Boy Scouts report to the Nation together with the
names of distinguished delegation.
1993 Report to the Nation--Boy Scouts of America
Realizing that America's future is in the physical, moral,
and spiritual strength of its youth, the Boy Scouts of
America in 1993 fortified the traditional Scouting program
and developed better ways to reach youth in urban areas.
In 1993, the Boy Scouts of America: Focused on critical
growth areas; expanded Learning for Life; helped develop a
Scouting handbook for Russian youth; introduced a new award
recognizing contributions to council endowment trusts.
The BSA formulated responses to today's critical challenges
so that it can continue providing youth with programs that
fill their need for moral and spiritual growth as well as for
fun and adventure. More than 3,427,000 youth representing
123,989 units took part in traditional Scouting activities in
1993.
Tiger Cubs, BSA: Tiger Cubs, BSA, for first-grade boys, was
strengthened without changing the basics that last year
attracted more than 360,000 youngsters. Procedural changes
added Tiger Cubs to pack charter rosters, and enabled the
boys to roll over into Cub Scouting automatically. Program
enhancements will keep young boys and their parents enjoying
Scouting longer.
Boy Scouting: The Order of the Arrow launched a new
leadership development course. A Train-the-Trainer manual was
produced that will train those who train program and council
leaders. The Wood Badge was earned by 5,712 dedicated leaders
who expanded troop operation skills through experiencing a
Scout's daily life.
Exploring: The Exploring Division placed strong emphasis on
volunteer and professional staff development, recognition of
volunteers, quality program development, and efforts to
broaden the focus of future Explorer posts. Exploring's
Council Growth Plan achieved its third consecutive year of
membership growth. The membership increased by 13,810 to
380,903 in 1993.
Eagle Scouts: The Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank a
Scout or Explorer can achieve, was earned by 33,672 boys. The
National Eagle Scout Association increased membership by
11,141 to 179,645 members.
Jamboree: Nearly 26,000 boys ages 12 to 18 discovered
exciting activities in a wholesome atmosphere at the 1993
National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Boys
shared their Scouting experiences with new friends from every
state and 64 countries, swapped patches, prepared group
meals, and took part in nonstop activities, while learning
more clearly what it means to be a Scout.
Camping: Camping introduced youngsters to the wonders of
the natural world overlooked in everyday city life. In 1993,
479,384 Boy Scouts (more than half of all Boy Scouts) went
camping. Cub Scout camping drew 572,846 youth. The BSA
certified 3,168 leaders at National Camping Schools, where
they learned successful techniques for operating summer
camps. More than 150 professional Scouters learned new
camping management ideas during a national forum.
Learning for Life. In its second full year, the popular
Learning for Life program received overwhelming approval from
educators who appreciated its teaching of positive values and
vital life skills in classroom settings. Educators and
council professionals learned new administrative, financial,
and organizational skills at the first Learning for Life
conference. Membership in 1993 was 737,799 youth.
Russian Scout Handbook. The countries of the former Soviet
Union are eager to instill basic Scouting values in their
youth. Organizers of their young Scouting movement turned to
the BSA for help in producing the first Russian Scout
Handbook.
Critical Issues. Programs were implemented to advance each
of the 1992 National Strategic Plan's four critical issues--
traditional net unit growth, Urban Emphasis, endowment
emphasis, and positive public relations--under the theme,
``Character Counts! Be Prepared for the Twenty-first
Century.''
Urban Emphasis. Demographic changes make it clear that more
than 70 percent of the growth in youth of Scouting age will
come from minority communities. It is vital that Scouting
reach these young people, many of whom are at risk because of
gangs and other urban problems. The BSA devised strategies
that will bring successful Scouting to the Nation's inner
cities. With the new ``Operation First Class'' initiative,
urban efforts received board-level attention from local
councils. Additionally, the BSA held urban seminars for
professional staff, attended by councils from throughout the
Nation.
James E. West Fellowship Award. The BSA established a new
award to give national recognition to the important
contribution made by those whose gifts ensure a top-quality
Scouting program. Named the James E. West Fellowship Award in
honor of the first Chief Scout Executive, the award is given
to individuals donating $1,000 or more in cash or securities,
beyond their regular contribution, to local council endowment
trust funds.
National Court of Honor: Recognizing outstanding acts in
the Scouting tradition, the National Court of Honor awarded
36 Honor Medals, 136 Heroism Awards and 95 Awards of Merit.
Young American Awards. Young American Awards, given to
young people ages 15 to 25 who have demonstrated excellence
early in their adult lives, were presented to five
outstanding young Americans: Tracy L. Collett, Marlon Harmon,
Hung Pham, Michael E. Plochocki, and Joseph E. Ponzo.
Silver Buffalo Awards. The prestigious Silver Buffalo Award
is presented to distinguished citizens for exemplary national
service to youth. Six men earned the Silver Buffalo in 1993:
William H. Gray, G. William Swisher Jr., George R. Hill III,
Lester G. Jones, R. Dan Matkin, and R. Richard Rubottom.
John L. Clendenin,
President.
Jere B. Ratcliffe,
Chief Scout Executive.
1994 report to the nation delegation
Gregory James Carney, Cub Scout Representative.
Warren K. Baugh, Boy Scout Representative.
Alexander Gonzales, Boy Scout Representative.
Scott Beckett, National Chief, Order of the Arrow.
Christine Ann Hilton, Explorer Representative.
Shawn Flate, National Explorer President.
Norman Burkhalter, Delegation Director.
Gregory Carney, Susan Carney, Parents of Cub Scout
Representative.
Gerard Rocque, Donna Rocque, Co-Advisors, Volunteer
Scouters.
scout oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout
Law;
To help other people at all times
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally
straight.
breakfast in the u.s. capitol
Welcome--Donnald Anderson, Clerk, U.S. House of
Representatives.
Invocation--Warren Baugh, Boy Scout Representative.
Breakfast. Introduction of Delegates--Jerry Rocque,
Delegation Advisor.
Presentation of Report--Scott Beckett, National Chief,
Order of the Arrow.
Token of Appreciation--Shawn Flate, National Exploring
President.
Closing--Donnald Anderson.
____________________