[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9436-S9437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE NATIONAL BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE
Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I would like to welcome over 30,000 young
men to Washington D.C. for the 2005 National Boy Scout of America
Jamboree. I would also like to give my sincerest condolences to the
families of the four Boy Scout leaders who were tragically killed
Monday afternoon in an accident while setting up camp.
Occurring every 4 years, the national jamboree is one of Scouting's
grandest traditions. It is a chance for thousands of young men to come
together and celebrate our shared values and traditions as Americans.
In a world that too often celebrates our differences, the National Boy
Scout Jamboree is a unique opportunity to celebrate the qualities we
all share as Americans.
It is also a chance for these young men to visit our Nation's Capital
to be inspired by the monuments, to learn from our Nation's artifacts,
and to see democracy in action. To those of us who work in Washington
it is sometimes easy to forget just how amazing it is that a place like
this, where free men can gather, debate, and decide their own fates,
even exists.
I was recently reminded of the significance of Washington by a young
boy scout from Plymouth, MN, named Eyan R. Lason. In anticipation of
his trip to the National Boy Scout Jamboree this week, Eyan wrote an
essay on what the trip and Washington mean to him. Eyan did not write
his essay as a requirement or to win a prize. In fact, until the other
day Eyan didn't even know that I had read his essay. No, Eyan wrote his
essay because he has a true appreciation for the values and spirit that
this city represents.
Eyan began his essay by describing his trip as ``A journey back to
where America was made, an expedition to see and feel everything that
this country was based on, and is destined to become.''
Eyan is right. During his time here in Washington he will see our
Nation's values. But he would not find them in the architecture of our
buildings, or the history on display in the Smithsonian. No, Eyan will
find our Nation's values in the hearts of his fellow Scouts.
These young men represent the heart and soul of the American people.
They know that courage is not the absence of fear, but strength and
capacity to go
[[Page S9437]]
ahead in spite of fear. They understand that you can not have justice
for one without justice for all. They believe in the equality of
opportunity, not results. And they know that freedom is not free.
Boy Scouts are our friends and family, but as Eyan's letter shows us,
they are also our role models and leaders.
I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Eyan R. Lason's letter be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
National Jamboree and What It Means to Me
(By Eyan R. Lason)
I start this paper staring at the ``Scout Guide'' to this
trip that I will soon embark upon. I look at my watch and see
the date, the time, and realize that my entire world is
racing towards a stand still . . . no a start to a voyage
which will be sure to last me the rest of my life. A journey
back to where America was made, an expedition to see and feel
everything that this country was based on, and is destined to
become.
Scouting has been a part of my life for more than 10 years
now. It has helped form me into the man that I am. Scouting
has given me many of the best experiences of my life, many of
which can never be forgotten. I have learned so much it is
hard to put it into words. I have been fortunate enough to
take pleasure in everything that scouting has to offer. From
the basic skills of life, to our week long summer camp in
Northern Minnesota, to Philmont's mountains in New Mexico,
and now most of all the ability to spend two weeks in this
Country's great capital.
I sit here in this chair wanting to express the true
bewilderment that I feel. Trying to communicate the huge
opportunity that has been granted to me in words, still there
are too many racing through my head to fully explain what I
am feeling. A teacher once told me that if you struggle
explaining an object be it a person place or event try using
a single word for the task, this time even that advice has
rendered me speechless. There is no possible way to express
my gratitude to the people who have simply handed me the
single greatest opportunity of my life.
One word, a sentence, or even this paper that I am writing
cannot express truly how grateful I am for the kindness of
others who have given me this opportunity. Truthfully, with
all my heart, I thank you.
Now is time for myself to try and explain what this
expedition means to me. I have concluded that the best way
for me to define this trip to you is use a symbol that every
man, woman, and child can recognize, the very flag of this
great country that we, the people, have proclaimed The United
States of America.
The flag is it's own special kind of genius. You see the
stars, stripes, and colors all inspire me in different ways.
Fifty Stars, thirteen stripes, and three colors are all part
of the master symbol of our country; all has given me more
than significant inspiration. Thus I will explain.
Fifty bright white stars represent each and every state of
this noble country. A National Jamboree is my destination
therefore I will get a chance to meet people from each and
every one of those states. An opportunity to experience
cultures specific to each region of this country, for each
state is represented by 1 of those fantastic stars on the
flag of this country.
Thirteen stripes on the banner that is this country,
thirteen stripes that embody the thirteen original colonies
that formed this country. All of which helped bestow all
Americans with the freedoms that we are blessed with. Those
colonies fought for what they considered was right, they
defended their freedoms. Who knew they were at the threshold
of creating the world's greatest country. A country free from
gross prejudice of one's ethnicity, beliefs, religion,
likes and dislikes.
Nobody in that time had any idea of the immense change
those thirteen colonies would make in the world, freedom that
today is defended by the greatest fighting force in the
world, the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Armed Forces
fight for our country protecting us from people who dislike
our ability to be unrestrained in our everyday lives. The
U.S. Armed Forces, like the people in those thirteen original
colonies, are fighting for what the think is right. Why do
they risk their lives? Simple their own, and others, belief
in freedom is worth fighting for. After all freedom is not
free.
Myself as an American hold my freedom on the highest
pinnacle. Those thirteen colonies that started this whole
country have granted all Americans with the greatest possible
gift. So I am grateful for the ability to go back to many of
these great colonies and see what they fought for, experience
what they fought and hopefully get a glimpse of what it will
become. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to be
able to see the naval ports, see the modern day defenders of
our country and how they do what they do.
Red; the color that represents the hardiness and valor of
this Nation, red is for the blood, sweat and tears that have
gone into making this great country what it is. Hardiness for
the millions who have served this Nation with pride.
Hardiness for all of those who endured through the cannon
blasts of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, hardiness for the
ones who spent hundreds of hours in the grueling trenches of
World War One. Hardiness for the near Thirteen million United
States Soldiers who, once again, proved to the world we will
not sit quietly in World War Two, welldeserved valor for the
individuals in Middle Eastern countries currently defending
us from terrorism each day. All of which have proven to the
world that we are the true protectors of freedom. Proved to
me, and the world, what it means to be hardy and valorous.
Red is the color that represents the millions of individual's
sacrifices for me, for this Nation. And when I stand at this
Nation's capital and look at Old Glory waving, I will
remember those individuals and their sacrifices, and I will
thank them.
Bright white stripes, six of them on the flag, hold the
beliefs of purity and innocence of this Nation. Purity and
innocence that in this modern day uphold America as a
defender not as an aggressor. In this day America is a world
power not a world conqueror. Purity is for those who hold
themselves true by using their rights as a good citizen, by
supporting their country in what it does, by participating in
this country's democracy. We can show purity by respecting
other citizens of this country, innocence by living our lives
without regrets. Myself as a scout can obtain and uphold this
Nation's purity and innocence by living the Scout Oath and
Law. I can live the Scout Oath and Law and show others to
take pride in themselves and in their country, by being able
to go to Washington DC. I can demonstrate these actions and I
can influence others to do so.
There is a field of blue on the flag for justice,
perseverance, and vigilance. One's peers provide fair justice
in this country. This country has for nearly 100 years served
in protecting itself and others from assailants. Providing
justice to where it is deserved. From the improper acts of
Pre-Revolutionary War Britain, Nazi Germany, the Jungles of
Vietnam, or Terrorist occupied Middle Eastern Countries
America has proven its evenhandedness. Perseverance is
surely this country's most pronounced value. If
perseverance were not valued so highly in this country it
would simply not exist. Perseverance made this country,
made it and has kept it here for the past 229 years.
What if we had not persevered in the Revolutionary war?
Would America still be here? The most likely answer is no.
The Civil War without perseverance would have ended in the
Confederate States of America. Not only in wars must we
persevere in life we must. If people do not try hard to
complete things, this country, this world would not be the
great place it is. Vigilance is simply defined by Webster as
``Alert Watchfulness'' and I could not label it better
myself. America has watched over its people and the world
doing its best to keep all safe. In a single week I will see
these values and all their meaning when I am in D.C. I will
value them every day of my life as I always have as far back
as I can remember. I can see the documents that made America
free. As far as seeing perseverance, I cannot list all the
sights and sounds that are supreme examples to me of that
value. Justice can be seen in small things as someone stating
their opinion of right and wrong to another individual, or a
single person standing before a judge a twelve of his peers,
however I will be able to see it on the grandest scale the
supreme court of America. I can see vigilance as I will go to
Pentagon City and for those opportunities that have been
given to me I am truly grateful.
As I have stated in the above topics the values that are
presented on the flag are the one's that I will value most on
this trip to the United States Capital. The fifty states that
hold the values true, thirteen colonies that made it all
happen, hardiness, valor, purity, innocence, justice,
perseverance, and vigilance are all valued highly by many but
the ones who make values more than just a value are citizens
of the United States of America. Boy Scouts, doctors,
lawyers, auto mechanics, pilots, military personal are all
people that make this country what it is, and that is the way
it is supposed to be in a democracy. I am eternally grateful
to be able to be an American and having this tour to the
Nations Capital given to me just reinforces my strong beliefs
in this country and the people who belong to it.
I would like to thank the complete organization of the Boy
Scouts of America. I would also like to personally thank my
Scoutmaster Mr. Jeff Radke, the whole Jungers family, Mr.
Mike Simonet, and my parents for letting me go on such an
endeavor.
Thank You All So Much.
To the members of the United States Armed Forces,
nationwide Firefighters and Policemen and Women, I thank you
for the sacrifices that you have made, and are willing to
make on behalf of myself and this entire nation. Thank you.
Mr. COLEMAN. In closing, I thank Eyan and all of the Boy Scouts of
America for their service not only to God and country, but also to
their homes and committees.
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