[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 17 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN TRIBUTE THE LOS PADRES COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2010

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute the Los Padres 
Council, Boy Scouts of America, as the Boy Scouts celebrate 100 years 
on February 8, 2010.
  The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people 
to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in 
them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
  Today's Boy Scouts are tomorrow's leaders, as evidenced by the fact 
that more than 200 members of the 111th Congress were Boy Scouts or 
adult leaders, including myself. Boy Scouts alumni also include 179 
U.S. astronauts, 35.5 percent of the United States Military Academy 
cadets, 30.5 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets and 25 
percent of United States Naval Academy midshipmen.
  In 2005, the Boy Scouts of America and the Youth and Family Research 
Center produced a report on the ``Values of Americans, A Study of 
Ethics and Character.'' The report found:
  ``Compared with men who were never Scouts, men who were Scouts five 
or more years as youth are more satisfied with their present lives and 
occupations, have sustained lifelong friendships, and place a higher 
value on family relationships. Men who were Scouts also earn higher 
incomes, achieve higher levels of education, and attend religious 
services more often then men who were never Scouts.
  ``Boys who are or were Scouts also agree that Scouting is a positive 
influence in their life. Scouting has helped them gain self-confidence, 
leadership skills, determination, and social interaction skills. 
Scouting has also impacted their academic skills. Scouting activities 
have helped Scouts improve their reading, science, engineering, 
physical fitness, and emergency preparedness skills. In addition, boys 
who are Scouts report earning higher grades than do boys who were never 
Scouts.''
  Furthermore, the report also found that, ``Scouts are also more 
likely to make the most ethical decisions, not the easiest. Scouts are 
more likely to volunteer to be a leader, practice responsible recycling 
procedures, and take part in community service. They are also more 
likely to report a classmate with a gun and are less likely than non-
Scouts to drink alcohol.''
  It is clear that the Boy Scouts of America has had a positive impact 
on our youth for a century. The Los Padres Council, which reaches 
across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, is at the forefront 
of training tomorrow's leaders by serving more than 9,000 Cub Scouts, 
Boy Scouts, and Venturers.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to 
the Boy Scouts of America and the Los Padres Council for their 
dedication to molding our youth into responsible and high-achieving 
citizens.

                          ____________________