[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6467-S6468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TRIBUTE TO THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOY SCOUTS

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Green Mountain Boy Scouts and congratulate the Boy Scouts of 
America on their 85th anniversary. It seems fitting, indeed, that the 
Green Mountain Boy Scouts of America will hold its statewide camporee 
on the historic Rutland fairgrounds. While 10,000 Vermont scouts and 
4,000 adult volunteer leaders will be marking the 85th anniversary of 
the Boy Scouts of America in June, the Rutland Fairgrounds prepares to 
celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Vermont State Fair.
  To these fairgrounds in 1861 came 1,000 young men to form the First 
Vermont Regiment of infantry, the initial unit sent from Vermont to 
fight in the Civil War. It is my understanding that the first night in 
camp, a chill wind came down off Pico and Killington flattening many of 
their tents. It was a strong omen, for hard times were ahead for the 
Vermonters who went off to fight in that war. Before it was over, 
nearly 35,000 young men from Vermont would serve, and more than 5,000 
would give their lives.
  Those lads, every one of them volunteers, established a model of 
service from which Vermont did not falter during four bloody years. It 
is a model that we still find personified by the young people, and 
their leaders, who fill the ranks of scouting in Vermont.
  [[Page S6468]] Not only do scouts well serve the communities in which 
they live, they are constantly acquiring knowledge and skills which 
will serve them well in later years--and make them better citizens. In 
scouting lies much of the hope for America in the fast approaching next 
century.
  It is reassuring to know that Vermont still has within its borders 
able young people willing to serve in the best interests of their State 
and Nation, as did the boys of the long ago Civil War days.
  I want to congratulate the Boy Scouts of America on their 85 years of 
excellent service to the United States and welcome the Vermont boy 
scouts to my home city of Rutland for their celebration. Rutland is 
where I served in my youth as a boy scout. I hope the Vermont camporee 
is as enjoyable and successful as it is historic.


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