[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 TRIBUTE TO EARL STERNKE, MILWAUKEE, WI, IN RECOGNITION OF 40 YEARS OF 
                       SERVICE TO THE BOY SCOUTS

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                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
constituent, Mr. Earl Sternke. Mr. Sternke is a model of service to his 
community, having provided leadership and mentoring to youth for over 
40 years.
  Mr. Sternke is a distinguished exemplar of the American spirit of 
generosity. A veteran, husband and father, Mr. Sternke has made a 
commitment to the Boy Scouts from the earliest days of parenting his 
own children. As a troop leader, he raised his two sons in Scouting, 
helping both achieve the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. But his work 
did not stop there. He continued to lead troops long after his children 
were grown, training boys to follow the same Scout Oath that he lived 
every day of his life.
  Mr. Sternke also contributed to the strength and development of the 
Boy Scout institution in innumerable other ways. As a trainer and 
training chairman, Mr. Sternke was responsible for helping many young 
Scouters become leaders. He helped design emblems, certificates and 
badges, some of which are still used by troops today. His award-winning 
design for the Boy's Life Display for the 1981 National Jamboree 
brought national attention to the Milwaukee Boy Scouts Council.
  Throughout the period of his involvement, Mr. Sternke received 
numerous awards from the Boy Scouts. I am especially impressed that Mr. 
and Mrs. Sternke were awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1975 as a 
tribute to their work together in training young Scouters. Clearly, 
these two provided a model of leadership that could inspire youth to 
dedicate themselves to family, community and country.
  It is a distinct pleasure to offer my thanks to Mr. Sternke for a 
lifetime of service. He has been unselfish in volunteering his time, 
his experiences, his resources and his money to improve the community 
in which he lives. Our community and Nation are better places because 
of his work.

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