[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF DEVIL PUPS' 50,000 GRADUATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Devil Pups Inc. as it 
celebrates the 50,000 teenagers who have graduated from its program 
since its inception in 1954.
  Mr. Speaker, I am one of those graduates, having completed the 
program in 1958. I continue to support the program as a member of Devil 
Pups' Advisory Board. I can personally attest to the program's success 
in building teenagers' self-confidence and in teaching them to take 
responsibility for their actions through Devil Pups' Good Citizenship-
Physical Development Program.
  The program's impetus was the burning of an American flag by a group 
of teenagers at a Southern California high school in 1953. Aggravated 
by this activity and the attitudes of the American youth it 
represented, retired Marine Corps Colonel Duncan Shaw Sr. and a group 
of retired Marine Corps Reserve Officers asked the Commandant of the 
Marine Corps to help aid character development in teenage boys and 
girls and enable them to become healthier and more successful citizens.
  The Commandant agreed to help if the former Marines would form a 
charitable corporation to solicit contributions needed for food, 
transportation, insurance, and other sustainable items the government 
is prohibited from paying for.
  The next summer, Camp Pendleton Commanding General John T. Selden 
granted permission for the nonprofit corporation Devil Pups Inc. to 
bring aboard 1,800 14- to 17-year-old boys. In 1998, Devil Pups 
welcomed its first platoon of girls into the program. Through the 
efforts of the active duty and reserve Marines and Devil Pups 
volunteers, the program has grown into a highly successful annual 
project. This summer, Devil Pups will graduate its 50,000th pup.
  The name ``Devil Pups'' was conceived after observing that German 
troops during World War I called U.S. Marines ``Devil Dogs'' because of 
their battlefield accomplishments and valor. This success and challenge 
under stress is a fitting precursor for the name ``Devil Pups.''
  The Devil Pups program is a demanding physical and academic good-
citizenship program. The program is more mental than physical, 
reflecting the whole person concept. The program foundations are 
intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical.
  Because of the limited space and ongoing military activities at Camp 
Pendleton, the program is only open to teens 14 to 17 years old from 
California, Nevada, and Arizona. It costs nearly $500 per teen to put 
on the program each year, but no teen has ever been asked to pay for 
the experience and no government funds are expended. The money raised 
to pay for the 10-day encampment is done through generous grants, 
fundraisers, and individual contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a Devil Pups graduate and for my 
continued association with its program. I know my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Devil Pups Inc. and its volunteers for reaching the 
50,000 pup milestone and for their efforts to help shape our youth into 
confident, healthy, and productive citizens.

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