[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 178 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ERIN MURPHEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2021

  Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Erin Murphey of Island Heights, New Jersey for achieving 
the rank of Eagle Scout. Erin is the first young woman to become an 
Eagle Scout in Ocean County, New Jersey, and among the Boy Scouts of 
America's inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts.
  Erin's passion for Scouting started when she first heard her father's 
stories about his own time as a Boy Scout. Being able to participate in 
the organization's program was always something Erin wanted to do; 
however, it wasn't until February of 2019 when changes in membership 
policies allowed her and thousands of young girls to join. Once she 
joined Troop 570, she committed herself to making the most of her time. 
In addition to going camping and learning traditional scout skills, 
Erin worked to expand her council's high adventure and sailing 
programs, attended a leadership conference in New Mexico, and was 
elected by her peers into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National 
Honor Society. Erin also worked for four summers at the Joseph A. Citta 
Scout Reservation, a local Boy Scout camp in New Jersey, starting as a 
counselor and ultimately serving as the Resident Program Director. Erin 
credits her outgoing personality, comfort with public speaking, and 
leadership to her experiences at camp having interacted with thousands 
of scouts.
  To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Erin worked to complete 41 merit 
badges that ranged in subjects from railroading to engineering to 
personal finance as well as complete an Eagle Project that benefits the 
community. For her project, Erin Jed a team of 20 volunteers for three 
days, amounting to 55 volunteer hours, in cleaning and repainting half 
of the stone street signs in her town.
  Anyone involved in Scouts BSA will say that achieving the rank of 
Eagle Scout is not an easy process. In 2019, only 8 percent of all 
Scouts BSA earned the Eagle Scout rank. When you consider the barriers 
that Erin and other young women had to overcome on top of the 
traditional requirements, achieving this award makes this occasion much 
more historic. Because of pioneers like Erin, the path to the Eagle 
summit will be easier for young women in the future who aspire to a 
similar goal. Erin herself said it best, when asked what piece of 
advice she could give to female scouts, she said ``enjoy the journey 
and don't let anything stop you''.
  Madam Speaker, the example set by this young woman and her supportive 
family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication, and 
perseverance. Erin is now a part of a select group of women who have 
earned both their Eagle and Gold Award, the highest rank in Girl 
Scouts. I know that I speak for all of New Jersey's Third Congressional 
District when I say congratulations and good luck to Erin on her next 
steps.

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