[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 87 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, TROOP 1 IN PAOLI, PA

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                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Paoli Troop 1, 
Boy Scouts of America, Chester County, Pennsylvania on its 100th 
anniversary.
   The history of Paoli Troop 1 is a long and storied one, starting 
with its founding as the area's first Scout Troop in 1911 at the Good 
Samaritan Church in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Troop 1 survived some lean 
early years and diminished activity during World War I, but proudly 
endured such challenges and, in 1924, relocated to nearby Wayne. In 
these early years, the Scout Law and Scout Oath were discussed in 
detail at the end of Troop meetings, a tradition that has been passed 
down to the present day.
   Travel has also been a long-standing tradition of Troop 1. In 1927 
and 1929, the Troop took trips to Europe, which included hiking through 
Scotland and parts of Brittany. On one of these trips, the Scouts met 
Baden Powell, founder of the Scout movement. The Troop had three 
mountain climbing expeditions in the Swiss Alps during 1966, 1970 and 
1974, with the Troop flag having flown at the top of the Matterhorn.
   Today, the Troop functions under the leadership of Scoutmaster Mike 
Magnotta, his assistants, and the general supervision of the Troop 
Committee. Its purpose, as set out in its constitution, is to promote, 
maintain and carry out the principles of the Boy Scouts of America and 
to work for the best interests of its members. The institutions and 
traditions of Paoli Troop 1 are many and deserve to be perpetuated for 
generations to come.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in 
congratulating Paoli Troop 1 and its storied history on the occasion of 
its 100th anniversary and to extend best wishes for the Troop's bright 
future.

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