[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25386]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         IN MEMORY OF AL HADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 27, 2000

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Al Hadley, a person 
who was one of the most influential men in my life, and, I am positive, 
hundreds of other lives.
  ``Skipper'' Al Hadley died this week at the age of 96 years young. As 
my Sea Scout, BSA, Scoutmaster, he bestowed upon me a lifelong love of 
the ocean and a respect for myself and all life. He taught me to 
challenge myself beyond my expectations and instilled in me the values 
of patriotism and public service.
  Skipper was a lifelong friend and mentor who dedicated himself to our 
youth. He stayed involved in Sea Scouts long after his two sons were 
grown, and even after he retired. When I was a Scout, we restored a 36-
foot World War II surplus Navy boat, which we sailed to Catalina Island 
on many a weekend. We pitted our seamanship skills against other Scouts 
from across California at the annual Rendezvous.
  Each year, we left the sea for a survival hike in the desert, living 
off only what we found on the land. Not surprisingly, the Boy Scouts of 
America awarded Skipper Hadley numerous awards and recognitions over 
the years.
  Many of those Scouts with whom I sailed with many years ago remain 
friends today. Skipper came to visit me at the Capitol after I was 
elected to Congress. His oldest son Pete, who recently retired as a 
colonel in the Army, remained in contact throughout the years.
  Skipper Hadley will remain a role model for me until the day I die. 
Mr. Speaker, Skipper Hadley is survived by his wife, Cecelia; sons, 
Pete and David; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. I know my 
colleagues will join me in sending condolences to Skipper's family, and 
in thanking Skipper for upholding the ideals of a Scout leader; for 
molding generations of strong, motivated men and women; and for being a 
guiding light on the sea of life.

                          ____________________