[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING DELMONT LODGE 43, FORMERLY VALLEY FORGE COUNCIL, BSA

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                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a group of citizens that have had a tremendous 
impact on the 13th Congressional District over the past 66 years.
  This year these citizens, members of an organization known as the 
Order of the Arrow, will merge their lodge, Delmont Lodge No. 43, with 
the founding lodge of the Order, Unami Lodge No. 1, to form a new 
lodge. They are merging as a result of a merger between two Boy Scout 
councils in the area. Valley Forge Council, which formerly served 
Montgomery and Delaware Counties, including the 13th Congressional 
District, and Philadelphia Council, which served the city of 
Philadelphia, consolidated their operations into the Cradle of Liberty 
Council on the first day of this year.
  The Order of the Arrow is an honor camper society within the Boy 
Scouts of America. The scout units select from members in their troop 
those who have represented the best principles of Scouting and nominate 
them for membership in this organization. Following an ordeal which the 
candidates face several personal challenges, they become members of the 
brotherhood.
  This organization has its roots in the Delaware valley. It was 
started in the summer of 1915 by E. Urner Goodman on Treasure Island, 
an island no more than 30 miles up river from Philadelphia in the 
middle of the Delaware River. He devised this organization as a means 
to keep young men interested in returning to summer camp every year.
  Word of Goodman's organization spread, and some members of Valley 
Forge Council, known at that time as Delaware and Montgomery Counties 
Council, were inducted by members of this original lodge. As time 
progressed, staff at the council's camp in Green Lane, Camp Delmont, 
decided to start their own lodge. In 1929, with the help of Jack 
Foster, Delmont Lodge was born, and with it increased opportunity for 
the scouts in the 13th Congressional District.
  One of the crowning achievements of the order has been its ability to 
successful combine youth leadership with adult advising. As a result, 
through participation in this organization millions of scouts have had 
the opportunity to experience direct leadership. The organization 
offers opportunities to work in event planning, publications, 
promotions, acting, and service.
  Delmont's brothers have also spent innumerable hours giving service 
to the community and to Camp Delmont itself. They provide money for 
disadvantaged scouts to attend summer camp. They also promote the 
camp's program to over 150 individual scout units every year.
  Delmont has also been recognized nationally for their outstanding 
level of service. In 1995, the lodge received the highest recognition 
any lodge can receive, the Urner E. Goodman Camping Award. It is only 
presented to eight lodges each year, two in each region. And in 1982, 
as well as every year from 1989 to 1995, they received national honor 
lodge recognition, ranking it consistently among the best of the lodges 
across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, while on September 1, 1996, Delmont Lodge will merge 
with Unami Lodge, and despite that the name and number of this 
institution will no longer exist, the spirit and dedication of the 
individuals associated with this brotherhood will help preserve what 
they have accomplished over the years. These citizens will work to 
ensure that the new lodge works just as hard to provide assistance to 
just as many, if not more members of the community, and will honor 
their former lodge in all their endeavors.

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