[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S5666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    2013 NATIONAL BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER: Mr. President, right now tens of thousands of 
Boy Scouts are gathering in the adventure-filled mountains of southern 
West Virginia for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.
  At the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County beginning on July 15, 
Scouts from across the country will challenge themselves--with biking, 
swimming, whitewater rafting, zip lining, and rock climbing. But they 
also will challenge themselves in ways new to the National Jamboree--by 
giving back to local communities.
  For the first time ever, the Jamboree is engaged in a community 
service effort, one that has ignited in extraordinary ways in West 
Virginia. Over a 5-day period, up to 40,000 Scouts will work with 
groups in 9 counties on more than 350 projects--involving wellness, 
arts, education, infrastructure and beautification--totaling hundreds 
of thousands of service hours.
  It is the biggest community service initiative of its kind in the 
country. It is an inspiration. And it speaks to the heart of West 
Virginia, a State where service is deep-rooted in our people; where 
``neighbor helping neighbor'' is more than an idea--it is a way of 
life.
  It also speaks to the heart of the Boy Scouts of America, which has a 
long tradition of community service and dedicates virtually countless 
hours of volunteer work year round. During the 2013 Jamboree, Scouts 
from ages 12 to 18 and from every State in the Union will be living out 
the Scout oath, ``To help other people at all times.''
  Today I applaud everyone involved with the Reaching the Summit 
Community Service Initiative--the Boy Scouts who built this idea, the 
Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia for bringing together all 
the pieces to make it possible, the many organizations on the ground 
making a difference side-by-side with our Scouts, and the local 
communities supporting them. This initiative will make a tremendous 
difference in West Virginia communities, but it means more than that. 
It means that thousands of bright young Scouts will continue to 
experience the unparalleled feeling that comes with helping 
others.

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