[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 103 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE BOY SCOUTS OF IOWA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2008

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, our thoughts and prayers go out 
to the families and friends, fellow Scouts of the four young men--Josh 
Fennen, 13, Sam Thomsen, 13, and Ben Petrzilka, 14, from Omaha, 
Nebraska, and Aaron Eilerts, 13, from Eagle Grove, Iowa--who were 
killed on June 11, 2008, when a tornado hit their campsite in western 
Iowa.
  As an Eagle Scout myself, I am saddened, but also very proud of the 
young men in Iowa, and their poise and strength in the face of one of 
Mother Nature's most ferocious storms. These young men lived up to our 
pledge which says:

       On my honor I will do my best
       To do my duty to God and my country
       and to obey the Scout Law;
       To help other people at all times;
       To keep myself physically strong,
       mentally awake, and morally straight.

  The tornado destroyed the four cabins of the 1,800-acre camp and 
ripped up tents. However, in the critical moments caused by the 
disaster and through the rubble, these brave men exemplified our motto 
of being prepared when they immediately set up triage operations to 
assist and, most likely, save the lives of other young men who were in 
grave danger.
  As a Member who represents an area of the country which, 
unfortunately, experiences more than its share of hurricanes and 
tornados, I know all too well the devastation severe weather causes. 
And, as a Scout, having participated in camping experiences similar to 
the Iowa Scouts' experience, I know and appreciate the challenges those 
young men faced.
  So today, I ask that you join me in taking this opportunity to 
recognize the four heroes lost that day.

                          ____________________