[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3563-H3564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE CONGRESSIONAL SCOUTING CAUCUS

  (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to invite 
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join the bipartisan 
Congressional Scouting Caucus.
  Scouting has been an essential part of my life. I am an Eagle Scout 
and was a Scoutmaster for more than 30 years.
  The lessons I learned through Scouting: leadership, service, self-
reliance, and integrity remain deeply imbedded in my daily life and 
guide my work here in Congress.
  My decisions are guided by the principles of the Scout oath: my duty 
to God, duty to country, duty to others, and to myself. That is the 
kind of clarity and compass that Scouting instills. It is a moral 
benchmark, one that teaches young people to serve their communities, 
respect others, and become engaged, responsible citizens.
  That is why I am proud of the work we are doing with the bipartisan 
Congressional Scouting Caucus. This group exists to strengthen and 
support Scouting programs across the country and to highlight the 
incredible impact Scouts have in each of our districts.
  Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join our caucus whether you 
were a Scout yourself, have Scouts in your family, or simply believe in 
the power of mentorship and youth leadership. There is no better time 
to get involved than now.
  Today, we are hosting Camp Capitol Hill, an event that will bring the 
spirit of Scouting right to the heart of our Nation's Capital. This 
unique showcase will feature Scouts demonstrating outdoor and 
leadership skills right here on the Capitol grounds in the Rayburn 
foyer. Displays will include camping equipment, a canoe, a rocket, 
robotics, knot tying, and Pinewood Derby car racing, alongside 
educational tables sharing the story and scope of modern Scouting.
  There will also be a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Scouting 
leaders and alumni, highlighting the diverse ways this program shapes 
the

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next generation of leaders, young men and women who will one day serve 
as firefighters, teachers, doctors, small business owners, and yes, 
even Members of Congress.
  We are also hosting Eagles on the Hill, a reception that will bring 
together Eagle Scouts and Scouting alumni to celebrate our shared 
background in Scouting. Eagles on the Hill serves as a reminder that 
even when Eagle Scouts in Washington disagree on the issues before us, 
we are united in the belief that Scouting instills essential leadership 
skills and character values.

  The Scouting memorial, just steps from where we sit today, is a 
tribute not only to the organization but to the ideals it stands for: 
duty, service, community, and character.
  That memorial was made possible entirely through Scout-raised funds 
in 1960, mostly in the form of dimes. Those Scouts who sent in their 
dimes have their names engraved at the base of that statue, reminding 
us of the quiet strength and legacy of civic engagement.
  Madam Speaker, I, once again, encourage all my colleagues to join the 
Congressional Scouting Caucus, attend Camp Capitol Hill, and support 
the young people who work every day to build a stronger, more service-
minded America.
  Let's help ensure that the next generation lives up to the Scout law: 
trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, 
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
  Also today, on a personal note, I welcome Josh and Finn Kirby to 
Washington, a Scout leader and a Scout, from the Boy Scout Council in 
the Juniata Valley.

                          ____________________