[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 88 (Thursday, May 25, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN HONOR OF ``UNCLE DAN'' BEARD

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 24, 1995
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today commemorate the life of a great 
American, Daniel Carter Beard.
  Daniel, or ``Uncle Dan'' as he was known to the thousands of young 
men whose lives he affected, was the cofounder of the Boy Scouts of 
America. Born in 1850, Daniel Beard was vigorous enough to be active in 
the Boy Scouts until his passing in 1941, just months shy of his 91st 
birthday. While his presence lives on in the design of the original 
Scout uniform, far more important are the effects that he had on the 
teaching, thoughts, and philosophies of the Boy Scout movement which is 
with us to this day.
  Daniel Beard cofounded the Boy Scouts in 1910 when he was 60 years 
young. At an age when most people would think of slowing down and 
retiring, Daniel Beard began to speed up. By profession he was an 
illustrator, editor and author of books for boys. His abilities 
complemented his love of nature, and so he organized groups of young 
men and taught them the skills of America's pioneers. He would later 
merge these groups into the Boy Scouts. He became the first National 
Scout Commissioner of the Boy Scouts and added the title of Chairman of 
the National Court of Honor in 1913. During this time he was editing 
and writing articles for Boys' Life magazine as well as continuing his 
fight as an early proponent of conservation. He was thus one
 of America's first environmentalists. Daniel Beard carried on his 
tradition of helping and teaching the young men of this country until 
his death.

  Daniel Beard spent the final years of his life at his home, 
Brooklands, in Rockland County, NY, in my 20th Congressional District 
of New York State. One might think that he no longer continued in his 
practice of working with young men but this is not the case. On moving 
to Brooklands in 1928, Dan Beard hosted a national Scout rally at his 
home. At the age of 78, he appeared in his famous buckskin outfit and 
spoke at length to the boys in attendance. Subsequently he joined an 
honor guard of Rockland Eagle Scouts when they attended the National 
Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC, at which he was the guest of honor. 
He attended all of the major Scout gatherings during those years and 
his popularity with the young men involved was amply proved. At the 
1939 World's Fair, his introduction received louder applause than most 
of the other guests of honor, including President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt.
  In the last years of his life, Dan Beard continued to be active in 
the Scout community of Rockland County. In 1940, at the age of 90, he 
led 100 Scouts from the county in the dedication of a community site. 
In the same year he presided over a meeting of the Campfire Girls of 
Arden, NY, in Orange County, NY, showing his support and love for all 
young people. Thus, he was one of the first Americans to express 
support for gender equality in our society.
  Daniel Beard's life of service cannot be lauded enough. His effect 
upon so many of the young men whose values were shaped by their time in 
the Scouts is immeasurable. He summed up the course of his life when he 
said: ``Once a Scout, always a Scout.'' He proved this sentiment with 
his unending dedication to the organization that he cofounded. Many of 
the young men and women of this Nation, and of Rockland and Orange 
Counties in particular, owe this man a debt of gratitude for his 
influence and service.
  On June 3, 1995, Daniel Beard will be honored in Rockland County by 
the Dan Beard Committee and the Rockland County Council of the Boy 
Scouts of America. The council and the committee will host a day of 
dedication for Daniel Beard in the Village of Suffern, Rockland County, 
NY.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite our colleagues to join us in 
honoring Daniel Beard. Fifty years after his death Daniel Beard is 
still considered a great American and an outstanding example of how 
many lives one dedicated person can affect.


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