[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H7844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH, A TREASURE FOR ALL AMERICANS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, a highlight of the August 
district work period was to accompany my 15-year-old son Hunter on a 
70-mile backpacking trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New 
Mexico.
  Philmont is correctly identified as a scouting paradise due to the 
multitude of camps and breathtaking views of mountain ranges and 
Southwestern mesas. This 137,000-acre area ecological wonder is the 
result of its benefactor, the late Waite Phillips, who donated the 
properties now defined as the world's largest camping organization, 
staffed by 900 employees for over 25,000 hikers who come annually from 
every State.
  I saw firsthand the accomplishments of dedicated adult volunteers, 
Mike Apfeld and Jeff Geygan of the Milwaukee County Scout Council, who 
guided our crew of nine scouts, Crew Leader Brendan Apfeld, Daniel 
Gerlach, J.P. Geygan, Nicholas Haynes, Michael Mastroianni, Christopher 
Murphy, Danny Brownfield, John McClellan, Jr., and Hunter Wilson. They 
achieved climbing the ranch's highest peak on Baldy Mountain of 12,441 
feet, encouraged by Ranger Michael Ferrin.
  Philmont Scout Ranch is a treasure for all Americans to enjoy, and I 
urge my colleagues to encourage their scout troops to participate in 
the exhilarating Philmont experience.

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