[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 10 (Thursday, January 21, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM B. RUGER

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, on October 29th last year, one of 
New Hampshire's outstanding citizens, William B. Ruger, Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., was honored by 
The Camp Fire Club of America.
  The Camp Fire Club of America is one of the most prestigious hunting 
and conservation organizations in the country. Its code of ethics 
stresses that the wildlife of today is not ours to do with as we 
please, but was given to us in trust for the benefit both of the 
present and the future. They also believe that it is the duty of every 
person who finds pleasure in the wilderness or in the pursuit of game 
to actively support the protection of forests and wildlife.
  The Camp Fire Club awarded its Medal of Honor--its highest tribute--
to William B. Ruger. This Medal is awarded to ``one person, who in the 
judgment of the Board of Governors, has merited such recognition by his 
career or special work in forest or game protection, or along other 
lines which are in accord with the object and aims of the club.''
  Mr. President, several former recipients of this high honor by The 
Camp Fire Club are: Colonel Theodore Roosevelt in 1910; Carl Rungius, 
the outstanding painter in 1931; Horace Albright, former Director of 
National Parks in 1961; and Laurance Rockefeller in 1967.
  Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to bring to your attention 
the tribute below, made to Bill Ruger on the occasion of his being 
awarded The Camp Fire Club Medal of Honor.

           Medal of Honor, William B. Ruger, 29 October 1998

       I welcome to this room of honor, five former presidents of 
     Camp Fire seated at the head table, the officers and 
     governors (both past and present), family members, friends 
     and special guests.
       It is a tradition of the Club at the Board of Governors' 
     meetings to take a moment to remember those who are no longer 
     with us. At such a momentous occasion as this, it is also 
     appropriate to take a moment of silence for all our friends, 
     family and companions that have crossed the Great Divide. You 
     may remain seated.
       At our formal dinners at the turn of the century, the 
     founder of Camp Fire established several principles which 
     they and we have been unable to uphold. To name a few, they 
     were: no drinking, no smoking, no swearing and no long 
     speeches. I will observe one of these this evening and get 
     right to the matter.
       The Club through its By-Laws permits the active President 
     to award the Presidential Citation for meritorious service. 
     The Board of Governors has the power to recognize members 
     through the Medal of Valor and the John E. Hammett Award for 
     work in conservation. But it is only the membership of the 
     organization that can bestow our highest expression of 
     admiration. In this particular instance, it began with a 
     whisper over ten years ago, and through the Board of 
     Governors ended in the hands of the entire membership's 
     approval.
       In 1906, the first Medal of Honor was presented and since 
     that time only 24 recipients have been named. They have 
     experienced many walks of life. To name a few, they have 
     included conservationists, preservationists, a painter, a 
     forester (the country's first), a writer, a bird lover, a 
     Senator, an Olympian, an explorer (Polar), a rifleman, a 
     rider of the Chisholm Trail, Founder of the Boy Scouts and a 
     United States President. They all exemplified the spirit and 
     the fellowship that is Camp Fire today. We honor them because 
     we admire their perseverance, fortitude and courage.
       Like each of the recipients before him, Mr. William B. 
     Ruger has shown this same fortitude and courage to lead. He 
     has willingly accepted these challenges and leads with 
     dignity. He has the unique ability to explain in a clear 
     manner not only to us, who are supporters, but to opponents 
     the importance of retaining personal freedom and our firearm 
     heritage. He embodies a natural sense of justice and a 
     passion for exploration, not only in the traditional sense 
     but in a business sense as well. Through the various and 
     substantial endowments he has created, he has established a 
     way to train and educate the youth in the importance of 
     personal responsibility, conservation and truth; and at the 
     same time has illuminated the way for us.
       By his generosity, future generations may enjoy the 
     advantages, benefits and pleasures of the outdoor experience 
     and better understand the importance of wildlife and 
     wilderness protection.
       His distinguished service to the nation, while visible 
     today, will be more fully appreciated and comprehended in the 
     years to come.
       The Medal of Honor is paramount in its absolute justice. It 
     is a justice free from all influence whether it be of favor, 
     political or sentimental. It is a symbol of life, of loyalty, 
     of integrity and of self reliance. But most of all it is a 
     badge of inspiration, not only to the one who has the honor 
     to wear it, but for those who gaze upon it.
       The inscription on the back of this gold medallion reads: 
     ``William B. Ruger--Inventor, Manufacturer, Industrialist--In 
     recognition of his dedication to conservation and the Spirit 
     of Camp Fire--29 October 1998.''
       As President of The Camp Fire Club of America and 
     representative of the entire membership, it is our great 
     pleasure to bestow upon you the Medal of Honor. 
     Congratulations.

                                The Camp Fire Club of America,

                                                  Scott T. Sutton,
                                                        President.
  I would like to add my personal congratulations to my good friend, 
Bill Ruger.

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