[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1481-E1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING 100 YEARS OF SCOUTING

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                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the 
Boy Scouts of America. As Scouts from across America gather this week 
for their 2010 National Scout Jamboree, I rise to congratulate them on 
their long-standing success, and thank the Scouts for all the work they 
have done over the years to build our young men into upstanding and 
trustworthy citizens.

[[Page E1482]]

  Over the past century, the Boy Scouts of America has become one of 
the brightest and far-reaching youth-development organizations in our 
Nation with over four million youth members in its age-related 
divisions. Indeed, the Boy Scouts of America has become part of our 
national heritage. Since its founding in 1910, more than 110 million 
Americans have been members of the Boy Scouts of America.
  Committed to teaching traditional values of trustworthiness, good 
citizenship, and outdoors skills through a wide range of challenging, 
participation-based activities and educational programs, the BSA's goal 
is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, 
and self-reliance. President Gerald Ford, a former Boy Scout himself 
once said, ``I can say without hesitation, because of Scouting 
principles, I know I was a better athlete, I was a better naval 
officer, I was a better Congressman, and I was a better prepared 
President.''
  Part of the reason the Boy Scouts are so successful is because they 
live by a law and an oath that bind them to the quest for morality and 
brotherhood. Indeed, the Boy Scout Law is one we can all live by, ``A 
Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, 
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.''
  Today we can all say for certain that the Boy Scouts of America have 
made our country stronger, braver, and more optimistic, as many of its 
politicians, astronauts, businessmen and other hard-working citizens 
grew up in the organization--including my own sons.
  It is a sincere pleasure to stand with the Boy Scouts today, and 
recite an Oath which for 100 years has marked our Nation:
  ``On my honor, I will do my best
  To do my duty to God and my country;
  To obey the Scout Law;
  To help other people at all times;
  To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally 
straight.''
  Congratulations, Gentlemen!

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