[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S528-S529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, Scouting came to America 100 years ago 
because of a good deed. We are now entering the second 100 years of Boy 
Scouting. As I said, Scouting came to America 100 years ago yesterday 
because of a good deed. An American, William Boyce, was visiting London 
when he suddenly got lost in the fog. A young boy found him and helped 
him find his way. When Mr. Boyce offered to give the young boy money, 
he said, ``No, thank you, sir, I am a Scout. I won't take anything for 
helping.'' Boyce was so overcome by the Scout's generosity that he 
arranged to meet with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouts 
in Great Britain. After returning from his trip, Mr. Boyce met with a 
group of American businessmen, educators, and political leaders and 
founded the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. Nobody knows 
what happened to the boy who guided Mr. Boyce through the foggy streets 
of London that day, but his kindness lives on in the spirit of each Boy 
Scout today.
  The Boy Scouts is one of the largest youth organizations in the 
United States--one of the very few recognized by Congress. Since its 
founding in 1910, it is estimated that more than 110 million Americans 
have served as members within its ranks. Scouting offers young people 
the promise of friendship, an opportunity to set positive goals, and 
teaches boys how to experience the outdoors. Above all, Scouting is 
about service and building character.
  To understand Scouting, you only need to look at the Scout Oath. The 
oath sets out the principles of Scouting and explains just what it 
means to be a Boy Scout. It goes:

       On my honor--

  Meaning the Scouts live by their word and promise to follow the Scout 
Oath--

     I will do my best--

  Scouts measure their achievements against their own high standards. 
Scouts do so without being influenced by peer pressure or what other 
people do----

     to do my duty to God--

  Scouts are reverent toward God. They are faithful in their duties, 
and Scouts respect the beliefs of others--

     and my country--

  Scouts keep the United States a strong and fair Nation by learning 
about our system of government and acting as responsible citizens. 
Scouts work to improve their communities and seek to protect and use 
our national resources wisely--

     and to obey the scout law--

  Scouts respect and live by the 12 points of the Scout Law. These 12 
points are guidelines which lead people to make responsible choices--

     to help other people at all times--

  Scouts recognize that there are many people in need.
  They know that a cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden 
of most who need assistance--

     to keep myself physically strong--

  Scouts pledge to take care of their bodies so that it will serve for 
an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods and exercising 
regularly. It also means Scouts avoid harmful drugs, alcohol, and 
tobacco--

     mentally awake--

  Scouts develop their minds both in the classroom and outside of 
school. They are curious about everything around them and work hard to 
make the most of their abilities--

     and morally straight.

  To be a person of strong character, a Scout's relationship with 
others should be honest and open. Scouts respect and defend the rights 
of all people, and they are clean in their speech and actions.
  All Scouts reaching the first rank of Tenderfoot must be able to 
recite and explain the meaning of the Scout Oath.
  The Boy Scouts also empower young people to pursue meaningful life 
goals. That includes putting them on the path to Scouting's highest 
honor.
  To backtrack just a moment, because one of the points of that Scout 
Oath, or promise, was to obey the Scout Law, this is the new Boy Scout 
Handbook. I had a hard-bound one. Now they have a spiral-bound one that 
makes it much easier to get into. The Scout promise says that you will 
obey the Scout Law. The Scout Law is that ``a scout is trustworthy, 
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, 
brave, clean and reverent''--all good virtues that are promoted. There 
aren't a lot of youth organizations now that promote virtues and build 
character.
  So it has been helpful from that standpoint for a lot of people, 
including myself.
  The Boy Scouts do empower young people to pursue meaningful goals. A 
major goal of Scouts is to be on the path of Scouting's highest honor, 
which is to be an Eagle Scout. The first Boy Scout Handbook described 
an Eagle Scout as ``the all-around perfect Scout.'' That is a very 
demanding standard and may explain why fewer than 4 percent of Boy 
Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Pursuing this honor requires 
young people to master the skills of leadership, service, and outdoor 
know-how. It also requires the practice of good citizenship and sound 
ethical behavior. Above all, once you are an Eagle Scout, you are 
always an Eagle Scout. It is something that is listed on resumes for 
the rest of their life--one of the few works from youth that can be 
listed on a resume.
  From 1912 to 2009, 2 million Boy Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank. 
Eagle Scouts have become leaders in all walks of life, including 
business, academics, entertainment, science, and, yes, even government. 
Within the 111th Congress alone, there are 22 Members who received 
their Eagle Scout awards. Eagle Scouts also leave an everlasting impact 
on their communities through the civic projects they complete to earn 
their rank. Park improvement projects, trail enhancements, organizing 
community events, and construction projects only begin to explain the 
things Eagle Scouts have done to improve the world around them.
  Over its 100-year history in America, Boy Scouting has shaped many 
young lives. The service that Scouts have performed is immeasurable, 
but there are many noteworthy moments.
  During World War I, Scouts played an important role in the war effort 
by collecting used paper and glass from homes. They also sold Liberty 
Bonds during World War I, valuing over $147 million. Congress was so 
grateful for the service of the Boy Scouts that they granted the Boy 
Scouts of America a special charter in 1916. President Roosevelt called 
on Scouts to help the needy in 1934 during the Great Depression. 
Throughout World War II, they again collected materials and sold war 
bonds to help the allied effort. By 1954, there were over 100,000 Boy 
Scout units, and in 2000 the Boy Scouts honored its 100 millionth 
member.
  I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts. I also 
wish to draw attention to the release of the 100th anniversary 
commemorative stamp to be released by the Postal Service this summer. 
Scouting has meant a great deal to me and my family over the years, and 
I wish to recognize this momentous occasion.
  With the Boy Scouts of America, the values of leadership, service, 
character, and achievement will live on to make our communities a 
better place. Remember, it all began with a good deed on the streets of 
London. That is why

[[Page S529]]

the Scout Slogan reads ``Do a Good Turn Daily.''
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Hagan). The Senator from Florida is 
recognized.

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