[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING RICHARD KRESEVITEH GILBERT FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE 
                                 SCOUT

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                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 1999

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize one of Pennsylvania's outstanding young students; Mr. Richard 
Kreseviteh Gilbert. This February, Richard attained the coveted rank of 
Eagle Scout, a distinguished goal that only 2 percent of Boy Scouts 
reach. Rich's achievement is the culmination of years of hard work, 
dedication, and community service.
  Each Eagle Scout candidate is required to have earned a minimum of 23 
Merit Badges, as well as contribute as least 100 man-hours toward a 
community oriented service project. Richard Gilbert, true to his 
selfless Scout nature, went above and beyond these minimum 
requirements, earning 33 Merit Badges and logging over 400 man-hours on 
his Eagle Scout Project. For his particular project, Rich chose to 
design and build a new retaining wall between American Legion Post 660 
and St. Ireanaeus Church in his hometown of Oakmont.
  Under his direction, Richard and 33 others gave up their summer 
vacations to work on the old retaining wall which had deteriorated on 
the S. Ireanaeus school playground. He and his crew worked through the 
hottest months of this summer to shape 120 ties and 22 tons of gravel 
into a wall which measures 6 feet tall and 110 feet long. Because of 
Richard's exemplary commitment to his project, St. Ireanaeus Church and 
Post 660 both sponsored his efforts, and Conrail graciously donated the 
needed railroad ties. Not only did Rich's labor improve the aesthetic 
beauty of the community, but it greatly improved the safety of the 
nearby playground.
  Richard Kreseviteh Gilbert is currently a Junior at Riverview High 
School in Oakmont, and continues to shine as an outstanding leader 
among both his classmates and fellow Scouts in Troop 7854. His 
Scoutmaster, Mr. Dave Scatina has certainly provided the guidance and 
leadership that promote the growth of outstanding young Scouts like 
Rich. I am honored to stand here today in sincere praise of this 
outstanding example of the importance of community involvement. 
Congratulations Richard, your achievements make us all very proud.




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