[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S7425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SAMUEL NASSIE, 2005 EAGLE SCOUT OF THE YEAR

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to share with my colleagues 
the outstanding accomplishment of one of my constituents, Samuel Nassie 
of Paradise, CA. I am so proud to announce that in May 2005, Samuel was 
named the American Legion's national ``2005 Eagle Scout of the Year.''
  The title of Eagle Scout represents the highest rank a Boy Scout can 
achieve. It takes years of hard work, dedication, leadership and 
community service to earn this honor that only 4 percent of all Boy 
Scouts achieve. Therefore, to be selected as the American Legion's 
Eagle Scout of the Year from hundreds other highly qualified Eagle 
Scouts across the Nation is an extraordinary achievement and I am very 
proud of Samuel for his accomplishments that led to this meritorious 
honor.
  Samuel's list of awards and accomplishments are too numerous to list 
today, but I would like to share with you some of his work that proves 
Samuel's dedication to his community is second to none. He was the 
first Boy Scout in Northern California to receive the William T. 
Hornaday Award, the oldest conservation award in the history of this 
country, with only 1,000 recipients in its 94-year history. Because of 
his service to the community, Samuel earned the Medal of Merit Award 
and the Congressional Youth Award in Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At the 
age of 13, Samuel achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was chosen as 
Eagle Scout of the Year for both California and the United States by 
the Sons of the American Revolution. The Veterans of Foreign Wars also 
chose him as Eagle Scout of the Year for California and awarded him 
second place in the United States. He is a member of the Boy Scout 
Honor Society, and a life member of the National Eagle Scout 
Association. Samuel remains active in the Boy Scouts of America by 
teaching at Boy Scout camps and serving as a Junior Scoutmaster for his 
local Boy Scout troop.
  I would like to highlight two of Samuel's community projects that are 
particularly noteworthy. In his first community service project, 
``Veterans Honor,'' Samuel created a program to locate, identify, plot 
and record the location of every veteran at his local cemetery. Another 
community service project, ``Buckets Full of Batteries,'' created an 
environmental program to recycle household batteries. Four years ago, 
he implemented this program in two school districts and over 20 
businesses in Paradise, and is now working with 4 other cities to 
expand his program.
  Samuel maintains a 4.0 GPA, and plans to attend college and study 
American History Education and Business. Samuel has selflessly given 
years of his time and energy to the community.
  Samuel Nassie brings a great deal of pride to California. He has 
accomplished more in his 17 years than most of us will in our entire 
lives. His community, State, and country are fortunate to have a 
citizen of his caliber. I have no doubt that his future will be a 
bright and fulfilling one.

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