[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, 2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of the 
Boy Scouts of America, the largest youth organization in the United 
States. Since 1910, more than 111,000,000 youth have participated in 
Scouting programs focused on character development and leadership 
training.
  This Sunday, July 25th, the Boy Scouts will kick-off their 100th 
Anniversary celebrations with a Grand Centennial Parade. Not since the 
very first Jamboree in 1937 has there been a Scout-specific parade in 
Washington, DC. There will be floats, marching bands, vintage vehicles, 
great entertainment, flags, fun and so much more. I am proud to join my 
father, former FBI Director Judge William S. Sessions, as a division 
marshal in this historic parade.
  From July 26th to August 4th, the National Boy Scout Jamboree will be 
hosted at Fort A.P. Hill just south of Washington, DC. The Jamboree 
will host over 43,000 Scouts and adult leaders visiting from across the 
globe. This is the last year the Boy Scouts will celebrate its Jamboree 
at Fort A.P. Hill having procured a new high-adventure base, The Summit 
Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, near Beckley, West Virginia. 
This new base covers 10,600 acres and is located adjacent to 70,000 
acres of National Park Service land, offering world-class outdoor 
opportunities when it opens in 2013.
  On Tuesday, July 27th, the Postal Service will host the first day of 
sale for a new 44 cent commemorative stamp entitled ``Celebrate 
Scouting,'' made possible through bipartisan congressional support of 
over 300 Representatives and Senators. The stamp, unveiled in November 
of last year, will be dedicated by the Boy Scouts at the National 
Jamboree on Tuesday.
  Additionally, the National Postal Museum will be hosting a 
Congressional Stamp Exhibit at the Rayburn House Office Building from 
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 28 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 29/30. 
In collaboration with the Boy Scouts of America, I will be hosting an 
exhibit on the ``2010 Celebrate Scouting'' stamp.
  As an additional token of celebration, I was proud to have introduced 
H.R. 5872, the Boy Scouts of American Centennial Commemorative Coin 
Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 
8, 2008. In accordance with the legislation, the United States Mint 
produced 350,000 Silver Dollar coins in celebration of the Boy Scouts 
centennial anniversary. Each having a $10 surcharge equally matched by 
private funds, this bill raised $7 million for Scouts in hard to serve 
areas. After only 12 short weeks these coins sold out, a remarkable 
success for spreading the joys of Scouting.
  This Friday, I am proud to host 11 troops made up of over 500 Scouts 
from the Dallas area to Washington, DC. I have the pleasure of meeting 
them on their historic journey to the Jamboree, showing them through 
the Capitol, and providing them insight into the government of our 
nation. In this historic year, I ask everyone to join in the 
celebration of this monumental occasion, and congratulate the Boy 
Scouts of America on their centennial anniversary.

                          ____________________