[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CENTENNIAL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA GREATER WYOMING COUNCIL

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of 100 years 
of Scouting in Wyoming.
  On Saturday, March 21, 2020, the Boy Scouts of America Greater 
Wyoming Council will host their annual Silver Beaver and Eagle Scout 
Recognition Luncheon in Casper. This year holds a special significance 
as they will celebrate their 100th anniversary at this event.
  The Boy Scouts of America incorporated on February 8, 1910. Scouting 
came to Casper with the creation of the Casper Council in 1917. The 
council continued to expand, changing its name to the Casper Area 
Council in 1925, Central Wyoming Council in 1931, and finally the 
Greater Wyoming Council in 2016. The Boy Scouts of America's mission is 
``to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their 
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.'' 
The council remains true to this mission and to their purpose to 
educate youth, age 5 to 21, to build character, develop personal 
fitness, and to train in the responsibilities of participating 
citizenship.
  In Wyoming, the Greater Wyoming Council upholds the mission and 
purpose of the Boy Scouts through service to 11 counties and 3,000 
youth across our State. The organization enjoys tremendous community 
support with 1,400 volunteers and 150 community partners. This 
consistent and broad involvement demonstrates what a valuable benefit 
the council provides to the youth and people of Wyoming.
  The council provides a variety of events and opportunities for 
Scouts, families, and communities in Wyoming. These events include 
their annual Strength of America Banquet, the annual Camp Buffalo Bill 
Summer Camp in Cody, fishing tournaments, and family camping trips. 
They work hard to provide many opportunities for Scouts to participate 
in fellowships, trainings, basecamps, and much more, to help members 
be, as the Scouts say, ``Prepared for life.''
  Brad Bodoh, the Scout executive for the council, has a strong 
background in serving the Scouts of America. We are fortunate to have 
his leadership. Before Brad made Wyoming home, he worked for the Boy 
Scouts of America in Iowa and Ohio. The knowledge and experience Brad 
brings to the Greater Wyoming Council allow the Scouts to flourish and 
expand their skills. Senior district executives Frank Solla and Andrew 
Allgeier, in addition to the council office staff, are instrumental in 
growing and supporting the organization's participation throughout the 
state.
  In Wyoming, we live by the Code of the West. One of the principles of 
the Code is ``to take pride in your work.'' The council's volunteers 
and families embody this principle. They make it possible for Scouts to 
advance through the program all the way through the rank of Eagle 
Scout. They see their work rewarded every time a Cub Scout earns a new 
badge and an Eagle Scout completes their project. The support for this 
organization is truly exceptional, and Wyoming is better for it.
  Mr. President, it is my pleasure to honor this historic milestone for 
the Greater Wyoming Council. Their centennial celebration is a 
recognition of all the hard work and preparation the council has done 
in the past 100 years and will continue to do for the next 100 years. 
Bobbi and I are proud of the Greater Wyoming Council and the community 
support behind it. We celebrate the century of Scouting in Wyoming and 
extend our congratulations.

                          ____________________