[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, as one of more than twenty Eagle 
Scouts serving in Congress, I would like to honor the Boy Scouts of 
America and welcome them to our nation's Capitol to celebrate 100 years 
of excellence.
  Over the past 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have positively 
impacted millions of young men, not only providing them with knowledge 
of the outdoors, but building character and leadership traits that 
serves them, their communities, and their nation.
  This week over 46,000 Boy Scouts, leaders, staff and volunteers from 
around the world are attending the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort 
A.P. Hill, Virginia. Many of these Scouts visited our nation's capital 
and participated in the Boy Scouts of America Grand Centennial Parade 
held this past weekend on the National Mall. I had the privilege of 
attending the Jamboree in 1973, and it was the height of my Scouting 
career.
  On Tuesday I had the privilege of meeting with Troop 67 from Mesquite 
and Troop 339 from Forney along with many others from the 5th 
Congressional District who are participating in this year's events and 
continuing the tradition of Scouting. I am pleased to see that after 
100 years, the Boy Scouts of America continues to educate and prepare 
young men with such success. Their visit lifted me up, and gave me 
great hope for our nation's future.
  Scouting is an important part of the American character because it 
teaches countless young men about service to their community, 
patriotism, dedication, hard work, and reverence to God. In addition to 
teaching good citizenship, Scouting builds leadership skills by 
teaching self-reliance, setting goals and ``learning by doing.'' Scouts 
know to ``Be Prepared.''
  Since 1910 the Boy Scouts of America have served over 114 million of 
our nation's youth, including many of the members of this body. 
Currently there are 211 Members of Congress who have been involved in 
Scouting as a youth, earned rank of Eagle Scout, or participated as 
adult volunteer. I am proud to be one of the 22 Eagle Scouts currently 
serving in this body.
  For me, Scouting was great fun. Scouting is about wonderful memories 
and a love of the outdoors. It is about useful knowledge that still 
comes in handy today. But far more important than those, to me Scouting 
is a way of life. Although I did not realize it at the time, everything 
a young man needs to know about life he learns in Boy Scouts. It is 
contained within the Scout Oath and the 12 Points of the Scout Law. So 
Scouting is not just an achievement of a destination, it is a way of 
life. If young men will allow Scouting to be their moral compass, it 
will guide them successfully through the hazards, temptations and 
pitfalls of life. We should all celebrate Scouting and recognize its 
great value to our nation.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to be an Eagle Scout. On behalf of the 
Fifth District of Texas, I thank the Boy Scouts of America for 100 
years of devotion to service, leadership, and citizenship.

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