[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   IN RECOGNITION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Virgin Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America, (VIBSCA) for their 
long-standing service to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and on 
the occasion of their being recognized by the organizers of the 29th 
Annual Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, popularly known as 
the ``Boy Scouts Tournament,'' held each year on St. Thomas. Considered 
the best of its kind, the contest attracts top anglers from around the 
globe.
  Scouting in the United States Virgin Islands can be traced as far 
back as 1914. After the transfer of the islands in 1917 from Denmark to 
the United States, there was scouting of a sort that for all intent and 
purposes was open only to children of the military. However, it was not 
until February of 1930, just three years after Scouting was established 
in Puerto Rico, that the first official Boy Scout Troop was formed in 
the United States Virgin Islands.
  Mr. Speaker, history was made twice on the first of January 1965 when 
the Virgin Islands got their own Boy Scout Council and Mr. Samuel B. 
King became the first black council executive in the entire Boy Scout 
movement in the United States.
  During the last thirty-six years, the VIBSCA have sent leaders to 
Wood Badge Courses in Puerto Rico and to the U.S. mainland and in 1983, 
the first leadership Wood Badge course was held at Howard M. Wall on 
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Wood Badge, very similar the U.S. 
Army's Basic Training regimen, is the highest training offered to 
selected male and female leaders to enable them to better serve the 
youth. The VICBSA has participated in eight National Jamborees, one 
World Jamboree, nine Caribbean Jamborees and many trips to Philmont 
Scout Reservation in Cimmaron, New Mexico as well as many training 
courses locally and on the mainland for both leaders and Scouts.
  I am proud to represent this segment of my constituency--the VIBSCA--
because they have shaped and molded the minds and bodies of thousands 
of Virgin Islands youth over the past seventy-one years. As a result of 
their work and service to the Virgin Islands community, today many of 
these former scouts hold positions of influence and stature still 
contributing to the betterment of a rich and flourishing Virgin Islands 
society.
  On behalf of a grateful Virgin Islands community, my family, staff 
and myself, I wish to congratulate the Virgin Islands Council of the 
Boy Scouts of America, its members, both past and present, for their 
many contributions to our community and for so generously giving of 
themselves and their values to generations of Virgin Islands youth over 
the years.
  May God continue to bless the Virgin Islands Council of the Boy 
Scouts of America and scouts all over our blessed Nation. Best wishes 
for an eventful, fulfilling ``Boy Scouts Tournament.''

                          ____________________