[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2000

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand before 
you today to honor the 90th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. 
The organization was first established on February 8, 1910 and has 
since then been dedicated to the growth and maturity of young adults in 
America. It has given youth the opportunity to have a healthy start in 
life by allowing them to participate in programs dedicated to building 
character, developing personal fitness, and raising community service 
awareness. For ninety years, the Boy Scouts of America have continually 
renewed their commitment by nurturing our children into young adults 
that stand for values of honesty, integrity, and respect.
  We must not forget those strong energetic individuals that have made 
the Boy Scouts what it is today. The organization would not be in 
existence if it were not for co-founders Daniel Carter Beard, Ernest 
Thompson Seton, William D. Boyce, and James E. West. All of these men 
heavily influenced the early development of the Boy Scouts. Daniel 
Carter Beard, remembered for his buckskin outfits, was a pioneer of the 
Boy Scouts who merged his own boys' organization with the Boy Scouts of 
America. Ernest Thompson Seton, the first Chief Scout, wrote numerous 
volumes on Scouting. Also worth mentioning is William D. Boyce, who 
incorporated the Boys Scouts of America soon after being inspired by a 
scout in Europe. Lastly, there was James E. West, who was the first 
Chief Scout Executive and also an inspiration to us all. Although 
orphaned and physically handicapped, Mr. West had the perseverance to 
graduate from lawschool and became a successful attorney. This same 
determination helped build Scouting into the largest and most effective 
youth organization in the world. When he retired in 1943, Mr. West was 
recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy 
Scouts of America. All these great men contributed to making a dream 
into reality.
  Presently over 5 million Americans are members in the Boy Scouts of 
America. Scouts grow up to become strong leaders with strong values. 
Their strong leadership can be seen even in the 106th Congress, where 
more than half of the Members of Congress have participated in 
Scouting.
  The Boy Scouts of America have also been continually dedicated to 
community service. I commend the organization for volunteering 
countless hours in their communities, especially in Suffolk County, New 
York, where programs such as toy drives for the disadvantaged and food 
collection for the hungry improve the quality of life for thousands of 
people. The tradition of serving the community has been emphasized 
throughout the last ninety years, and I hope to see it continue.
  Once again, congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America. They are 
truly an asset to our great country and I applaud them for all they 
have done. I wish them many more years of growth and success.

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