[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA'S CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 28, 2010

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Centennial Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. For the past 100 
years, the Boy Scouts of America have worked tirelessly to provide an 
educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to 
train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to 
develop personal fitness.
  William Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910 
using, as a model, the British system of Scouting created by General 
Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. In 1916, the organization was granted a 
Congressional Charter, and as the organization grew, it served more and 
more young men, teaching them to live by the Scout Law. Since its 
inception, over 110 million Americans have been members of the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  I am proud to say that my life has been strengthened through 
scouting. As a young man, I was a member of Troop 201 in Mobile, 
Alabama. It was while earning my merit badges in Citizenship in the 
home, community, and the Nation that my interest in our great political 
process was ignited. From my experience as an Eagle Scout, I know the 
time, effort, and thorough dedication the Boy Scouts instilled in me, 
to be a better person, and to serve God and the greater good of our 
country.
  For a full century, boys and men have gathered and declared: ``On my 
honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey 
the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself 
physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.'' And for a 
full century, we have constantly remained Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, 
Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, 
and Reverent. Our future leaders are cultivated through a combination 
of educational and fun activities, instilling lifelong values. Through 
various programs, the Boy Scouts of America strive to create a more 
conscientious, responsible, and productive society, and they have 
succeeded now for 100 years.
  The distinguished products of scouting can be found among my 
colleagues. Of the 111th Congress, 211 members have participated with 
the Boy Scouts of America, either as a youth member, an Eagle Scout, an 
adult volunteer, or some combination of the three. Personally, I take 
great store in what I learned as a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout. The 
experience has been a great influence on both my personal life and my 
work in Congress. I am especially honored to have received the 
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and I also am honored to have been a 
part of Alvin Townley's book, ``Legacy of Honor: The Values and 
Influence of America's Eagle Scouts.''
  Madam Speaker, we should all be inspired by the Boy Scouts of America 
and we should all be motivated to incorporate their goals into our 
daily lives. As the Boy Scout slogan says, we should all ``do a good 
turn daily.'' For the past 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have 
lived this ideal, and our country is a better place due to their 
actions. On this day, I extend my sincerest congratulations to the Boy 
Scouts and join them in celebrating their Centennial Anniversary, and I 
pray that God will grant them one hundred more!

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