[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES DOUGLAS H. NIECE AS THE LONGEST SERVING 
                         CUBMASTER IN THE U.S.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Douglas H. 
Niece, the longest-serving Cubmaster in the United States. For over 50 
years, Mr. Niece has made tremendous contributions to our community 
through his commitment and dedication as the Cubmaster of Pack 61, the 
oldest Cub Scout pack in Hunterdon County.
  In January 1948, several community leaders in Flemington decided to 
start a Cub Scout Pack in Hunterdon County. The Pack was founded on the 
principle of helping young men achieve a sense of self worth and 
satisfaction from knowing they can accomplish their goals. Today, Pack 
61 continues to provide young men with the values and experiences that 
cultivate discipline and a sense of responsibility; traits that they 
will carry with them throughout their lives.
  Mr. Niece has served as Cubmaster of Pack 61 since its inception over 
50 years ago. As Cubmaster he has been a mentor to over 5,000 boys 
during his extraordinary tenure. Mr. Niece has taught Cub Scouts from 
Pack 61 the value of community and service to our nation. He has 
instilled lifelong values that will be used to build a foundation for 
future growth. Many of Mr. Niece's scouts have continued to serve their 
communities in a variety of ways, including volunteering their time as 
a Scouter or Cubmaster.
  Mr. Niece is one of the few surviving graduates of the Flemington 
Children's Choir School, a school founded at the turn of the 20th 
century to train children to sing in the local church choirs. Even at 
the age of 80, he leads carolers around Flemington on Christmas 
morning, singing carols at any home with the porch light on--a 
tradition begun by the Choir School in the early 1900's.
  Mr. Niece is a life-long member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church 
where he continues to teach Sunday School. He has served as both at 
Elder and Deacon of the Church and was Superintendent of the Sunday 
School for over a decade. Several years ago, on Boy Scout Sunday, the 
church honored him with the ``God and Service Award'' in recognition of 
his many years of service and dedication to the youth within the 
community. Mr. Niece embodies the true spirit of giving and dedication. 
He has centered his life around service to his community.
  Mr. Douglas H. Niece has been, and continues to be, a strong presence 
in Central New Jersey. I urge all my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing Mr. Niece's commitment and dedication to the children of 
our community.