[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.

                          ____________________