[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 94TH BIRTHDAY OF PAOLI TROOP 1 OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2005

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paoli Troop 1 of 
the Boy Scouts of America on its 94th birthday.
  In 1911 at the Good Samaritan Church in Paoli, Pennsylvania, Paoli 
Troop 1 was established. Its name was derived from it being the first 
Boy Scout Troop in the Paoli area. The Reverend Horace A. Walton was 
the Troop's first Scoutmaster and he established two patrols within the 
Troop called the Wolves and the Lions. As the group grew in membership, 
three additional patrols were created. The Colour Patrol guarded and 
carried the Troop colors. Thereafter the Eagle Patrol was established 
and, most recently, the Fox Patrol was added in 2003.
  At the outset, Paoli Troop 1 had significant challenges. They were 
poorly equipped in both uniform and camping gear. During World War I, 
Troop activity diminished due to the lack of available young men. 
Following the War, Colonel Clifton Lisle became Scoutmaster and the 
Charter was resurrected under a ``Group of Citizens'' as sponsor. In 
1924, the Troop moved to Wayne, PA.
  Tradition has always been the foundation of Paoli Troop 1. Adherence 
to the Scout Law and Scout Oath constitute the bedrock principles of 
the Troop, but other traditions play an important role in the Troop's 
daily life, such as giving a sailor hat as a memento of the first 
summer trip. The Troop also adheres to the tradition of military dress 
(the wool shirt and military press) as started by Colonel Lisle. For 20 
years, Richard T. ``Dick'' Bensing led the Troop until his retirement 
in 2004. Today, Scoutmaster Mike Manotta heads the Troop.
  Paoli Troop 1's approaching 94th birthday is a wonderful achievement. 
With a rich, long history, the Troop has maintained its core purpose of 
promoting, maintaining, and carrying out the principles of the Boy 
Scouts of America and to work for the best interests of its members.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Paoli Troop 1 on its 94th birthday. The Troop's efforts to create a 
positive environment to shape our youth into exemplary role models and 
citizens is a marvelous contribution to our state and nation and we 
commemorate them for this.

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