[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING 113TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the floor today 
my most recent copy of the ``Boy Scout Handbook.'' I would say this: 
After the Bible, it is one of the most influential books in my life.
  I rise today to recognize the 113th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of 
America, the Nation's foremost youth program of character development 
and values-based leadership training.
  On February 8, 1910, Chicago businessman William Boyce, who grew up 
in western Pennsylvania, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America.
  Since that time, millions of young men and women have joined the 
Scouts and learned the values of patriotism, courage, and self-
reliance. There are more than 1 million youth currently enrolled in 
Scouting who contributed more than 17.7 million community service hours 
in 2022, helping to advance important projects, from conserving local 
waterways to constructing accessible parks, in nearly every 
congressional district across the country.
  I spent more than 50 years in Scouting, including serving as a 
Scoutmaster and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1977. It was these 
experiences that first sparked my interest in public service. The Boy 
Scouts oath, in part, urges us to perform our duty to our country.
  As co-chair of Congressional Scouting Caucus, I am proud to introduce 
a resolution alongside my good friend from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) 
designating today as Boy Scouts of America Day to honor the tireless 
service of Scout volunteers and participants in our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America has played a pivotal role in 
shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and I look forward to seeing their 
continued contributions to our country.

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