[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6277-H6279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DAY

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 356) expressing support for the designation of 
February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'', in celebration of 
the Nation's largest youth scouting organization's 100th anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 356

       Whereas Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by Chicago 
     publisher, William Boyce, on February 8, 1910, after learning 
     of the Scouting movement during a visit to London;
       Whereas, on June 21, 1910, a group of 34 national 
     representatives met, developed organization plans, and opened 
     a temporary national headquarters in New York;
       Whereas the purpose of Boy Scouts of America is to teach 
     America's youth patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and 
     kindred values;
       Whereas by 1912, Scouts were enrolled in every State;
       Whereas in 1916, Congress granted Boy Scouts of America a 
     Federal charter;
       Whereas each council will commit each Boy Scout to perform 
     12 hours of community service yearly, totaling 30,000,000 
     community service hours each year;
       Whereas membership since 1910 totals more than 111,000,000 
     scouts and is found in 185 countries around the world;
       Whereas the organization will present the 2 millionth Eagle 
     Scout award in 2009;
       Whereas more than 1,000,000 adult volunteer leaders 
     selflessly serve young people in their communities through 
     organizations chartered by the Boy Scouts of America;
       Whereas these men and women often neither receive nor seek 
     the thanks of the public;
       Whereas February 8, 2010, would be an appropriate day to 
     designate as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' in celebration of 
     the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary; and
       Whereas Boy Scouts of America endeavors to develop American 
     citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit, 
     have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such 
     qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness, have 
     personal values based on religious concepts, have the desire 
     and skills to help others, understand the principles of the 
     American social, economic, and governmental systems, take 
     pride in their American heritage and understand our Nation's 
     role in the world, have a keen respect for the basic rights 
     of all people, and are prepared to participate in and give 
     leadership to American society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     designation of ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' in celebration 
     of its 100th anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H6278]]

  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 356 for 
consideration. This legislation expresses our support for the 
designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' in 
recognition of the youth organization's upcoming 100th anniversary.
  House Resolution 356 was introduced by my colleague Representative 
Ralph Hall of Texas, on April 23, 2009, and favorably reported out of 
the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on May 6, 2009. 
Additionally, House Resolution 356 enjoys the support of over 70 
Members of Congress.
  Madam Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by Chicago 
publisher William Dixon Boyce on February 8, 1910, with President 
William Howard Taft named to serve as the organization's first honorary 
president. Pursuant to its stated purpose, the newly founded Boy Scouts 
of America sought to educate America's youth in ``patriotism, courage, 
self-reliance, and kindred values'' through a variety of educational, 
civic, and recreational programs and activities. By the year 1912, 
every State in America could claim a troop of Scouts. And in 1916, the 
organization received a Federal charter from the 62nd Congress.
  Since its incorporation in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has now 
witnessed the enrollment of over 111 million Scouts, with Scouting 
currently found in 185 countries around the world. Former Scouts and 
Scout volunteers include a number of prominent Americans, including 
Presidents John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, 
and Gerald Ford. President Ford often described the impact of Scouting 
on his career, stating that, ``Without hesitation, because of Scouting 
principles, I know I was a better athlete, I was a better naval 
officer, I was a better Congressman, and I was a better-prepared 
President.''
  In 2008 alone, the Boy Scouts of America provided educational 
community service and recreational programs to over 2.8 million young 
people, with the support of over 1.1 million volunteers and nearly 
130,000 community-based organizations. As noted by the Boy Scouts of 
America's most recent Annual Report to the Nation, two events in 2008 
exemplified the promise and the value of Scouting.
  Firstly, throughout the course of 5 weeks in the summer of 2008, 
approximately 3,600 Scouts and volunteers, in coordination with the 
U.S. Forest Service, participated in Arrow Corps Five, a project 
designated to benefit our national forests. The program resulted in the 
completion of more than $5.6 million worth of national forest 
improvements.
  Additionally, June 11 of 2008 witnessed the destruction of Iowa's 
Little Sioux Scout Ranch by a devastating tornado which, sadly, 
resulted in the deaths of four Scouts and injuries to 48 other Scouts 
and staff. In response, groups of Scouts and volunteers promptly set up 
a triage system, provided first aid to the injured, and began digging 
victims from the rubble of the collapsed campsite. Just one day 
earlier, these brave Scouts, who were attending a weeklong leadership 
training session at the camp, had taken part in a mock emergency drill.
  Notably, February 8 of next year will mark the 100th anniversary of 
the Boy Scouts of America, and fittingly, House Resolution 356 
expresses our support for the designation of that date as ``Boy Scouts 
of America Day.''
  Madam Speaker, let us commemorate the 100 years of civic and 
educational service provided by the Boy Scouts of America through the 
adoption of House Resolution 356 and by expressing our support for the 
designation of February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day.''
  I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of this resolution designating February 8, 
2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day.''
  On February 8, 1910, a Chicago publisher, William Boyce, founded the 
Boy Scouts of America as an organization dedicated to instructing and 
infusing patriotic values and ethics in America's youth. Within a few 
years, the organization had spread to every State and in 1916 was 
granted a Federal charter by the United States Congress.
  Since its inception, the Boy Scouts of America has grown to a 
membership exceeding 111 million Scouts, with over 1 million adult 
volunteers, and has corresponding organizations in over 85 nations 
around the globe. Its national and global presence has made it a 
compelling organization in the growth of our Nation and other countries 
over the past century.
  The Boy Scouts of America has hosted events, such as the National 
Jamboree in Washington, D.C., since 1935, which attracts thousands of 
Boy Scouts to the D.C. area.
  The youth who participate in Boy Scouts acquire fond memories of 
leadership training, adventure, camaraderie, and the joys of outdoor 
activities. Through the varied activities of the Boy Scouts, these 
young men are provided with a safe, constructive, and educational 
experience where they can acquire essential life and interpersonal 
skills.
  The impact of the Boy Scouts of America can be seen every day on 
Capitol Hill. Nearly 60 percent of the current congressional membership 
have participated in Scouting in one form or another, including roughly 
145 Members in the House of Representatives. Between the House and 
Senate, about 25 individuals have actually achieved Boy Scouting's 
highest honor, the Eagle Scout.
  The Boy Scouts of America have become a mainstay of American 
tradition. With its powerful influence on America's youth for the past 
century and the presentation of its 2 millionth Eagle Scout Award this 
year, it is appropriate that we honor the 100th anniversary of this 
outstanding American organization.
  Madam Speaker, on a personal note, I have to tell you, as a parent, 
my son Max, who was awarded the Eagle Scout not too long ago, for me 
and my wife, Julie, to watch the presentation where he got that Eagle 
pin, where he pinned on his mother the mother's pin, that's a great 
moment. And so many parents have been so grateful for the great work 
the Boy Scouts have done. I am personally in debt and gratitude to this 
organization for the great leadership that it brings upon the youth of 
America.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, but I will 
continue to reserve.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as the gentleman 
may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Texas (Mr. 
Hall).
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I, of course, rise today in support 
of H.R. 356, expressing support for the designation of February 8, 
2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' to honor the Nation's largest 
Scouting organization's 100th anniversary.
  Congressman Chaffetz has done a very good job of pointing out the 
history of the Scouts in America. It dates way back to 1910, when it 
was first incorporated for the purpose of providing educational 
programs for boys and young adults to build their character, train them 
in the responsibilities of being a participating citizen, and 
developing personal fitness.
  By the end of 1912, Scouts were enrolled in every State of the Union, 
which helped the Scouts obtain their Federal charter from Congress in 
1916.
  Boy Scouts of America endeavors to develop young men who are 
physically, mentally, and emotionally fit and who have a high degree of 
self-reliance. Boy Scouts provides instructions on America's social, 
economic, and governmental systems and inspires young men to take pride 
in their American heritage and to understand the Nation's role in the 
world. Boy Scouts respect the basic rights of all people and are 
encouraged to participate in and provide leadership for their 
communities.
  I want to recognize John Jarvis from Texarkana, Texas, who is a Scout 
leader with the Caddo Area Council and a member of Troop 16. John 
originally brought this resolution to my attention and has worked with 
me to bring this to the House floor today.
  I also recognize Tim Hetchs for his assistance on this bill. And I 
want to

[[Page H6279]]

thank my colleagues for cosponsoring the resolution, many of whom were 
Boy Scouts. Several of our colleagues in Congress have participated in 
Scouting, including President Ford, as was pointed out by Congressman 
Lynch.
  I ask my colleagues in the House to join us in support of H. Res. 
356, in recognition of the many contributions of the Boy Scouts of 
America to our Nation.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with Mr. Hall 
of Texas in bringing forth this important resolution, and I ask all 
Members to support unanimously the resolution at hand.
  I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as an original 
cosponsor, I would like to convey my support for H. Res. 356, a 
resolution expressing support for the designation of February 8, 2010 
as ``Boy Scouts of America Day'' and for this organization that has 
given so much to the well-being and development of young men for 
generations. I am humbled to be selected as the Honorary Chairman for 
the hundredth anniversary of Scouting for the Indian Waters Council of 
South Carolina.
  As the grateful father of four Eagle Scouts, I know firsthand the 
tremendous opportunities and benefits that come with participation in 
the Boy Scouts. This is an organization that has been a positive 
influence in our communities for nearly a century--teaching millions 
the importance of a strong character and a commitment to citizenship.
  I am particularly grateful that the Boy Scouts have always focused on 
a greater appreciation and understanding of the outdoors. In 1999 and 
2003, I served as an adult volunteer with my younger sons Julian and 
Hunter for backpacking treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch at Cimarron, 
New Mexico. The 100 and 75 mile hikes were an awesome introduction to 
me of the beauty of the American West.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, earlier this year, my good friend from 
Texas, Congressman Ralph Hall, asked me to cosponsor H. Res. 356, 
legislation that supports designating February 8, 2010, as Boy Scouts 
of America Day in the United States. This recognition would honor the 
Boy Scouts on its 100th anniversary.
  It is appropriate for the Congress and for our country to recognize 
the Boy Scouts. Since 1910, this organization has helped young men 
foster lasting friendships, develop leadership skills, and contribute 
to American society. As an Eagle Scout who has supported scouting into 
adulthood and throughout my time in Congress, I know firsthand how 
valuable scouting can be.
  I urge the House to approve this resolution.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 356.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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