[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 224 OF OTTAWA, OHIO ON THE 
                 DEDICATION OF ITS NEW BOY SCOUT HOUSE

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                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2000

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great pleasure today to pay 
special tribute to a truly outstanding organization from Ohio's Fifth 
Congressional District. This Sunday, September 17, Boy Scout Troop 224 
of Ottawa, Ohio will celebrate an historic and remarkable event. They 
dedicate the new Boy Scout House, which will serve as the new 
headquarters for Troop 224.
  Boy Scouting in Ottawa, Ohio has a long and rich tradition. Sponsored 
by the Ottawa Kiwanis Club for some sixty-eight years, Boy Scout Troop 
224 and Cub Scout Pack 224 have become staples of the community and 
have served the area with great pride and distinction. Currently, there 
are 89 Boy Scouts in Troop 224 and 150 Cub Scouts. These fine young men 
are part of the family of more than 900 boys who have participated in 
Scouting in Ottawa.
  Known not only as the largest Boy Scout Troop in the Black Swamp 
area, Troop 224 has turned out 109 Eagle Scouts over the years. In 
fact, three Boy Scouts from Troop 224 have achieved the National Court 
of Honor Award for Lifesaving. Troop 224 undertakes a myriad community 
service projects including the Scouting for Food campaign, landscaping 
projects for the village of Ottawa and local churches and schools, 
safety programs, and nature activities.
  Now, Boy Scout Troop 224 prepares for one of its biggest 
celebrations--the opening of its new Boy Scout House. The new facility 
will replace the current home, which was built in the mid 1930's and 
has served Troop 224, for decades. The old facility, once shared by the 
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, will give way to the new 2,400 square foot 
facility. The new home for Troop 224 includes several separate rooms, 
storage space for supplies and equipment, and space for Troop and Pack 
meetings, Blue and Gold banquets, and Courts of Honor.
  Mr. Speaker, Boy Scouting is truly one of America's longest-standing 
traditions. It instills in our young people the values of hard work, 
honesty, discipline, safety, honor, and much more. Clearly, Boy Scout 
Troop 224 has worked diligently toward the new Boy Scout House and each 
member should be very proud of the facility and all that they have 
achieved. I congratulate Troop 224 on the occasion of their new home 
and challenge the Troop to continue to strive for excellence in 
Scouting and in the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to 
stand and join me in celebrating the dedication of the new Boy Scout 
Home for Boy Scout Troop 224 of Ottawa. We wish them the very best now 
and in the future.

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