[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF AMERICAN BOY SCOUTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to our nation's 
youngest and littlest public servants--in stature, perhaps, but 
certainly not in heart--the Boy Scouts of America. For a century, these 
young boys and their counselors have been on the front lines, 
safeguarding and protecting America and her values: democracy, 
tolerance, compassion, and generosity, just to name a few. Heralded as 
the largest youth scouting organization, the Boy Scouts has inspired 
and motivated a cadre of young men to love this country, to work--
tirelessly and humbly--without ingratitude, and to give of themselves 
to their communities and to the downtrodden. The organization has left 
its mark, a mark that runs a full century deep into the annals of this 
country's history, touching the lives of generations of boys and of 
those they have helped.
  Next February 8, the Boy Scouts will celebrate its centennial 
anniversary, honoring its inception in February of 1910 by a Chicago 
publisher, William Boyce. Since that day, 111 million men have joined 
the ranks of the Scouts, committing to 12 hours of community service 
every year. America benefits from 30 million hours every year due to 
the toil of these youngsters. That means more hands at our airports, 
and ports, and schools, and hospitals. It means greater numbers of 
servers at a soup kitchen, of planters at a forestation drive, of 
readers at a local school. It means America is that much stronger, that 
much safer, and that much more prosperous because of the sacrifice of a 
dedicated few. They have earned our gratitude and deepest respect.
  The adult volunteers who these kids look up to deserve unique and 
emphatic praise themselves. Youngsters are eager to have role models--
and in some quarters of our country, there are not many to choose from. 
Men and women willing to dedicate the time and care to lead these kids 
at a time of overwhelming change and insecurity are heroes and 
heroines. They have, no doubt, saved lives, and there can be no greater 
gift than setting right a life heading wayward.
  May we speak with one voice today in salute to these boys, many of 
whom are now men raising sons and grandsons of their own, and mark 
February 8, 2010 as the day for recognition of the Boy Scouts.

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