[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S13377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to honor one of the most 
distinguished and recognized organizations for young people in the 
United States, the Boy Scouts of America. Specifically, I want to 
recognize its tremendous efforts to uphold the principle of service to 
others.
  Today, the Boy Scouts of America is the largest youth service 
organization with nearly 3 million members. Its teachings of 
citizenship, character development, and self-reliance are those which 
all Americans should strive to emulate in their daily lives. The 
programs give participants the opportunity to engage in a wide range of 
outdoor activities, education programs, and career-oriented programs in 
partnership with many community organizations. Boy Scouts of America 
celebrates 100 years of service on February 8, 2010, with the theme 
``Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey.'' This motto will 
serve its members as they continue teaching the necessary skills to 
many more generations to come.
  I want to recognize the efforts of the Jayhawk Area Council in 
northeast Kansas. These members are planning for the next 100 years of 
Scouting through their ``Building Tomorrow's Leaders'' project. This is 
just one of many projects that will honor the spirit of service in 
communities of Scouts across the Nation.
  Boy Scouts of America recognizes that young leaders are developed 
over time, and has expanded its programs to help young men and women up 
to 20 years of age through Venturing Crews, Explorer Posts, and the 
Learning for Life groups. These programs have been shown to be 
meaningful and to improve a Scout's likelihood for success as an adult 
and enhance the quality of life in the community where he resides. Boy 
Scouts of America has kept up with the evolving and changing needs of 
our Nation, by adding programs in areas such as environmental ethics 
and responsibility. President Dwight Eisenhower recognized the 
contributions of the Boy Scouts 56 years ago when he praised the 
organization, as it ``yearly enriches our Nation, and contributes 
generously to the economic, physical and spiritual resources of the 
country.''
  Mr. President, the Boy Scouts of America have helped shape young 
people of America for the past 100 years. This achievement is one to be 
celebrated, and I hope many of my colleges will join me in wishing this 
organization the best for the next 100 years.

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