[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO GERALD WAYNE SMITH

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating Gerald Wayne Smith as he 
is awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. At the 
age of 71, Gerald is one of the oldest individuals in our country to 
receive this distinction.
  Over the years the Tall Pine Council of the Boy Scouts of America has 
worked to provide the Scouting opportunity for every youngster. The 
focus of their program is to accommodate all abilities. The Council 
holds a ``Handicapable Camporee'' on a regular basis to allow all 
scouts regardless of their abilities to learn how to function in an 
outdoors setting. The Tall Pine Council ranks near the top of Boy Scout 
Councils across the Nation that have awarded the Eagle Scout rank to 
youngsters with disabilities.
  Gerald Wayne Smith is a charter member of Boy Scout Troop 117, a Tall 
Pine Council Boy Scout Troop founded on October 16, 1961 as a troop 
devoted to Scouts with differing abilities. He has served as Junior 
Assistant Scoutmaster since 1974, and was promoted to Life Scout in 
1989.
  Gerald was elected to the Order of the Arrow, an honor given to those 
Scouts that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. 
He completed his Ordeal requirements in 1985, the Brotherhood 
requirements in 1986 and completed the Vigil level requirements in 
1998. The Order of the Arrow is considered to be scouting's national 
service organization and Gerald is recognized as an honored camper. The 
purpose of the Order is to promote the Scout habit of helpfulness into 
a life purpose of cheerful service to others.
  After overseeing a landscaping and canopy renovation project at 
Asbury United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan, Gerald fulfilled the 
requirements to receive the Eagle Scout Award. Only about five percent 
of Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout and it is the highest level 
a Boy Scout can achieve. He is the ninth Scout in Troop 117 to achieve 
the rank of Eagle Scout.
  Madam Speaker, Gerald Wayne Smith has exhibited leadership, service, 
and outdoor skills, throughout his Boy Scout career. These are the 
three essential elements to earning the Eagle Scout Award and he is to 
be commended for his commitment to Scouting and his perseverance in 
achieving his goal. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
applauding this tremendous achievement and congratulating him for his 
accomplishment.

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