[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4297-S4298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL SCHOPP

 Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I rise today in the Senate to honor 
15 year-old Michael Schopp, from Creve Coeur, MO. In a ceremony 
honoring his achievement on May 2, 2004, Mr. Schopp will receive the 
Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest advancement rank a young man 
may earn in scouting.
  To earn his Eagle Award, Mr. Schopp designed, planned and supervised 
the construction and landscaping of a planter and two dugout benches 
for the Ballwin Athletic Association baseball fields where he played 
ball for several years.
  Mr. Schopp began his scouting experience as a Cub Scout in elementary 
school and has been a member of Troop 631, sponsored by St. Mark 
Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, MO, since March 2000. Mr. Schopp's 
dedication to the values of scouting and his leadership ability are 
demonstrated in his many scouting activities over the years: he has 
served his boy scout troop as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol 
Leader, and is currently one of the leaders of his troop as a member of 
the Executive Patrol and as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Mr. Schopp 
participated in the Junior Leader Training Camp and also attended three 
Boy Scout High Adventure Camps: Northern Tier in Ely, MN; Sea Base in 
Florida; and OKPIK Winter Camp in Northern Minnesota.
  The rank of Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special 
significance since it was first awarded in 1912 and its rigorous 
standards have been maintained over the years. That rigor is 
demonstrated in the fact that only 4 percent of young men across 
America who join the boy scouts earn this prestigious award. Mr. Schopp 
will be in good company as there are leaders in every walk of life who 
have endeavored to earn this coveted award. Indeed, many Eagle Scouts 
have gone on in life to excel in professional athletics, business, 
space exploration, entertainment, scientific discovery and public 
service in government. President Gerald Ford is an Eagle Scout as well 
as two of my distinguished colleagues in this chamber, Senator Jeff 
Sessions of Alabama and Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana.
  The people of Creve Coeur, MO are fortunate to have Mr. Schopp living 
and growing in their community. I congratulate Mr. Schopp for his 
success in earning his Eagle Scout Award. But also, I congratulate all 
of his peers, members of his troop, coaches, teachers, and parents for 
all the support and encouragement they have given that has helped Mr. 
Schopp reach his goals.

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  I know that all of my colleagues in the Senate will join me in 
offering congratulations to Mr. Schopp on a job well done and to extend 
best wishes for all of his future endeavors.

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