[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23748]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO DOUGLAS SIMMONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and honor the 
contributions my good friend, R. Douglas Simmons, has made to one of 
America's most respected service institutions, the Boy Scouts of 
America (BSA). On October 27 of this year, Doug will mark 50 years of 
continuous registration in the Boy Scouts organization. This lengthy 
record of service both as a youth participant and as an adult leader 
merits the recognition and commendation of this distinguished body.
  First of all, I wish to say a few words about the Boy Scouts of 
America itself. Few other organizations have as admirable a record of 
doing good as does the BSA. For ninety years, Boy Scouts have been 
symbols of everything that is right with America's youth. In fact, in 
the eyes of many, the faithful Boy Scout has come to embody the virtues 
of personal integrity and community service.
  Scouting is a program that educates young men in countless fields of 
study, trains them to master practical skills, instills in them a sense 
of civic duty, encourages them to develop commitment to their faith and 
country, and teaches them to lead a life of service to others. Boy 
Scouts learn and practice the principles of cooperation and teamwork. 
They take an active role in setting goals, making decisions, and 
executing plans for themselves and for the group. Whether it be in 
today's businesses, government institutions, schools, or families, 
these leadership skills are clearly in demand.
  Perhaps the BSA's most valuable role in today's society is that it 
provides boys with positive male role models. In our increasingly 
fatherless society, it is now more important than ever for young men to 
have honorable mentors that they can look to for example, instruction, 
counsel, and companionship.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to say that my friend, Doug Simmons, has been 
a part of BSA's sterling legacy for the past 50 years. His scouting 
career began when he registered as an eight-year-old Cub Scout on 
October 27, 1950. He remained active in Scouting throughout his youth, 
eventually advancing to the rank of Eagle Scout and participating in 
the Order of the Arrow. In each of his Scout troops and Explorer posts, 
Doug held leadership positions. Perhaps the culmination of his 
experience as a Boy Scout was when he attended the National Scout 
Jamboree.
  To his credit, Doug has continued his involvement in Scouting as an 
adult leader. His ongoing leadership training includes Bear Paw and 
Wood Badge courses and time at Philmont Scout Ranch. He has held 
numerous positions at almost every level of Scouting. Among the troop 
level positions he has filled are scoutmaster, troop committee 
chairman, unit commissioner, and institutional representative. At the 
district level, Doug Simmons has been Camporee chairman, and he has 
served on the camping committee. At the council level, he has been a 
member of the Explorer Advisory Council and the Bear Paw training 
staff. Furthermore, he has served in Order of the Arrow leadership and 
as a merit badge counselor.
  For his dedication to Scouting, Doug Simmons has received numerous 
awards, including the Scouters Key, the Scouters Training Award, the 
Silver Bear, and the Silver Beaver.
  In addition to his direct involvement in Scouting, Doug has worked 
with the young men in his church while serving in various 
ecclesiastical offices. Among these positions have been bishop, 
bishop's counselor and deacon quorum advisor.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation needs more citizens who are willing to stand 
up for the values that have made America great. We need more 
individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives and circumstances 
of the people around them. We need more of our young people to 
participate in character-building and community-building activities. We 
need more responsible adults to take an active role in caring for and 
guiding the youth of this country. In short, we need more people like 
Doug Simmons.
  I salute both Doug and the institution he loves so dearly, The Boy 
Scouts of America. As he now commemorates his 50 years of involvement 
with the Boy Scouts of America, let us honor all Doug Simmons' 
contributions to advancing the ideals of that great organization.

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