[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DICK BOETTCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Dick 
Boettcher who is recognized by the Longs Peak Council of the Boy Scouts 
as the 1999 Weld Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
  Dick, who wears a badge on his lapel saying, ``Do a good turn 
daily,'' learned this motto as a Boy Scout 50 year ago. Taking that 
motto to heart, he has served the Greeley community well for five 
decades, but probably his greatest passion has been for the Boy Scouts. 
Believing the most admirable people in scouting are the scout masters, 
he says, ``Anyone who has been a scout master is an honorable man. 
They're like a boy's second father. They're even first fathers to some 
kids.''
  Living the character traits of a scout, ``Trustworthy, loyal, 
helpful, friendly, courteous, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,'' 
Dick has served as the President of Longs Peak Council; Area President; 
Executive Committee Member--North Central Region and formed the Western 
United States Region; Regional Vice President; Vice President 
Programs--Western U.S. Region; Camp Leader at numerous National 
Jamborees; Advisory member--1986 National Jamboree; Division and 
Western Region Chief--National Jamboree; United Nations Environmental 
Unit--1991 World Jamboree, Seoul Korea; and winner of the Silver Beaver 
Award and Silver Antelope Award.
  Dick has also received numerous civic and professional awards, and 
served as organizer and President of the United Way of Weld County, 
past President of Greeley Philharmonic Board; past President and 
current director of North Colorado Medical Center Foundation; Chairman 
of North Colorado Medical Center Foundation's Four Million Dollar 
capital campaign; Large Gift Chairman of Monfort Childrens' Clinic; 
past Chairman of Flight for Life Golf Tournament and University of 
Northern Colorado Foundation; and past Director of the Greeley Chamber 
of Commerce.
  Add to his civic efforts Greeley city councilman, chair of the 
Greeley Planning Commission, and current chairman of the Greeley Water 
and Sewer Board. Politically, he has been a hard working leader in the 
Republican Party, chairing campaigns for many successful Republican 
local, state and gubernatorial candidates, and Hank Brown and Bill 
Armstrong.
  Born and raised in Nebraska, Dick served in the U.S. Army during 
World War II and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado 
before becoming a successful businessman. He first worked for the 
Professional Finance Company, ending up owning it and Northern Colorado 
Credit Bureau. Counted amongst his greatest successes is his family. 
Married to Irene for 50 years, they are the parents of three children 
and grandparents to seven children.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to Dick Boettcher upon his receipt of the 1999 
Weld Distinguished Citizen award. He is truly a role model for not only 
his children, but also for all those whose lives he has touched through 
life-long dedication to the Boy Scouts of America. This world is a 
better place because of Dick's ``doing a good turn daily.''

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