[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO DAVID THOMSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of David 
Thomson, a lifelong Boy Scout, dedicated patriot and beloved community 
activist who recently passed away at the age of 87. David died at his 
home in Redstone, Colorado after a lifetime of service to Colorado and 
the nation. I am honored to stand before this body of Congress and this 
nation and recognize his service and accomplishments.
  David was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1917, and attended his 
first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. After he attained his Eagle Scout and 
Silver Beaver status with the Boy Scouts he met Shirley in 1940 and 
married her two years later. Together with their three children John, 
Janet, and JoAnn they lived in North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas 
where David served in the Marine Corps as an aircraft mechanic 
instructor during World War II. After the war, the family spent 
fourteen months in Lima, Peru while David was an inspector for Pan 
American. When his stint in Peru was completed, the family settled in 
Golden where David took swing shifts at the Gates Rubber Plant as he 
finished his coursework to complete his college degree.
  In 1952, David completed his degree and applied to the Boy Scouts' 
Western Colorado Council to serve as a district executive in Grand 
Junction. After 20 years of long hours on nights and weekends, David 
retired to Redstone. There he served as a substitute teacher for the 
Roaring Fork School District and operated a small library that was used 
to give story hours on Saturday mornings. David and his wife Shirley 
were very active in their local church, which prompted the pastor to 
name them true ``visionaries''. Despite his busy career, David always 
maintained his service with the Boy Scouts, acting as a mentor and 
fundraiser for the Western Colorado Council.
  Mr. Speaker, David Thomson was an honorable, kind, and genuine soul 
who lived a long and full life doing what he loved. He touched the 
lives of many who have been fortunate enough to cross his path, and I 
am privileged to recognize the life of such a tremendous public 
servant. My thoughts and prayers go out to David's family and friends 
during this difficult time of bereavement.

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