[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 90TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its 
founding.
  From its beginning in 1911, the Boy Scouts has grown in size to more 
than five million active members in 1999. In the 90 years since its 
origination, the Boy Scouts has influenced more than 100 million boys, 
young men, and women. Minnesota scouting officials estimate that in my 
home state, more than 100,000 young people participate in the program 
today.
  Using goal setting and team building, Boy Scouts develop skills to 
overcome obstacles through trial and error. Whether earning their next 
merit badge or learning how to properly interact with the environment, 
Boy Scouts are able to translate what they have learned through the 
program into their families, churches, and communities.
  Let me also take a moment to commend the almost 500,000 adult 
volunteers, including 24,000 Minnesotans, who serve as leaders for the 
Boy Scouts. Both men and women serve the Boy Scouts in various 
capacities ranging from unit leaders to merit badge counselors. The Boy 
Scouts of America would certainly not be possible if it were not for 
the efforts of these stalwart volunteers.
  Although times have changed, fads come and go, the Boy Scouts 
continue to be an effective tool in training our nation's youth. 
Through the Scouts' core values of helping other people at all times 
and keeping themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally 
straight, scouts impact our communities in many ways. Students who have 
been through the Boy Scout program and have adopted these values as 
their own are needed now more than ever before.
  Over the years, the Boy Scouts have produced many of the country's 
most respected civic, professional, and community leaders. Right here 
in the Senate, 66 of my fellow colleagues have served as a scout, a 
leader, or in some cases, both. With all that the Boy Scouts have done 
for our country, I hope its next 90 years will be as productive as 
these first 90 have been.
  On this 90th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of 
America, I wish my very best to the Boy Scouts, not only in Minnesota, 
but to Scouts across our great Nation.

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