[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    CONGRATULATIONS TO MELVIN DANAO TABILAS ON HIS EAGLE SCOUT AWARD

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                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in my home district of Guam, we have many 
outstanding young people. However, one young man from Boy Scout Troop 
No. 38 deserves special mention. Whenever a Scout earns the rank of 
Eagle, the accomplishment stands out as a milestone in his life. Melvin 
Danao Tabilas is the only person on Guam to get the Eagle Scout Award 
this year. This triumph alone predicts future successes, but there are 
many things about Melvin worth watching.
  This Eagle Scout plans to attend college and major in the fields of 
medicine and music. I have heard him play piano at family functions; he 
has the gift of harmony. A career in music would be a natural, but this 
fine young man plans to participate in medical missions to the 
Philippines after college. He wants to provide medical assistance to 
the less fortunate. I can close my eyes and see Melvin also soothing 
patients with song.
  Melvin pledges to remain active as a Scout in the Order of the Arrow, 
and he will espouse the values learned in Scouting throughout his life. 
One needs only to examine his Eagle Scout Service Project to grasp the 
sincerity of this young adult. Melvin embarked on a beautification 
project for the central park in Dededo where he lives. He recruited his 
friends, who put in over 130 hours of labor. In return for a simple 
lunch, they painted the pavilion, planted trees, picked up trash, and 
replaced the sand around the swing and slide. When the project began, 
garbage was everywhere, the pavilion was covered with graffiti, and 
there were only a couple of trees. In this fast-paced, ever changing 
society, Melvin wanted his villagers to have a place to relax. From the 
planning stage in April, 1994, Mel and his volunteers completed the 
project 2 months later.
  Melvin Tabilas graduated from Father Duenas Memorial High School and 
is a National Honor Society member. It's hard to keep up with him. He 
ran cross country for Father Duenas in 1992, and has been on the move 
ever since. He received the Governor's Art Award and a Guam legislative 
resolution as a member of the San Vicente School Percussionists. He 
performed at the Lytigo and Bodig Telethon, using his talent to help 
others.
  Melvin has upheld the Scout oath. He has made his family, parents, 
and Congressman proud. Keep up the good work!


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