[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 19180-19181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE NATIONAL BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I would like to welcome over 30,000 young 
men to Washington D.C. for the 2005 National Boy Scout of America 
Jamboree. I would also like to give my sincerest condolences to the 
families of the four Boy Scout leaders who were tragically killed 
Monday afternoon in an accident while setting up camp.
  Occurring every 4 years, the national jamboree is one of Scouting's 
grandest traditions. It is a chance for thousands of young men to come 
together and celebrate our shared values and traditions as Americans. 
In a world that too often celebrates our differences, the National Boy 
Scout Jamboree is a unique opportunity to celebrate the qualities we 
all share as Americans.
  It is also a chance for these young men to visit our Nation's Capital 
to be inspired by the monuments, to learn from our Nation's artifacts, 
and to see democracy in action. To those of us who work in Washington 
it is sometimes easy to forget just how amazing it is that a place like 
this, where free men can gather, debate, and decide their own fates, 
even exists.
  I was recently reminded of the significance of Washington by a young 
boy scout from Plymouth, MN, named Eyan R. Lason. In anticipation of 
his trip to the National Boy Scout Jamboree this week, Eyan wrote an 
essay on what the trip and Washington mean to him. Eyan did not write 
his essay as a requirement or to win a prize. In fact, until the other 
day Eyan didn't even know that I had read his essay. No, Eyan wrote his 
essay because he has a true appreciation for the values and spirit that 
this city represents.
  Eyan began his essay by describing his trip as ``A journey back to 
where America was made, an expedition to see and feel everything that 
this country was based on, and is destined to become.''
  Eyan is right. During his time here in Washington he will see our 
Nation's values. But he would not find them in the architecture of our 
buildings, or the history on display in the Smithsonian. No, Eyan will 
find our Nation's values in the hearts of his fellow Scouts.
  These young men represent the heart and soul of the American people. 
They know that courage is not the absence of fear, but strength and 
capacity to go ahead in spite of fear. They understand that you can not 
have justice for one without justice for all. They believe in the 
equality of opportunity, not results. And they know that freedom is not 
free.
  Boy Scouts are our friends and family, but as Eyan's letter shows us, 
they are also our role models and leaders.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Eyan R. Lason's letter be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               National Jamboree and What It Means to Me

                           (By Eyan R. Lason)

       I start this paper staring at the ``Scout Guide'' to this 
     trip that I will soon embark upon. I look at my watch and see 
     the date, the time, and realize that my entire world is 
     racing towards a stand still . . . no a start to a voyage 
     which will be sure to last me the rest of my life. A journey 
     back to where America was made, an expedition to see and feel 
     everything that this country was based on, and is destined to 
     become.
       Scouting has been a part of my life for more than 10 years 
     now. It has helped form me into the man that I am. Scouting 
     has given me many of the best experiences of my life, many of 
     which can never be forgotten. I have learned so much it is 
     hard to put it into words. I have been fortunate enough to 
     take pleasure in everything that scouting has to offer. From 
     the basic skills of life, to our week long summer camp in 
     Northern Minnesota, to Philmont's mountains in New Mexico, 
     and now most of all the ability to spend two weeks in this 
     Country's great capital.
       I sit here in this chair wanting to express the true 
     bewilderment that I feel. Trying to communicate the huge 
     opportunity that has been granted to me in words, still there 
     are too many racing through my head to fully explain what I 
     am feeling. A teacher once told me that if you struggle 
     explaining an object be it a person place or event try using 
     a single word for the task, this time even that advice has 
     rendered me speechless. There is no possible way to express 
     my gratitude to the people who have simply handed me the 
     single greatest opportunity of my life.
       One word, a sentence, or even this paper that I am writing 
     cannot express truly how grateful I am for the kindness of 
     others who have given me this opportunity. Truthfully, with 
     all my heart, I thank you.
       Now is time for myself to try and explain what this 
     expedition means to me. I have concluded that the best way 
     for me to define this trip to you is use a symbol that every 
     man, woman, and child can recognize, the very flag of this 
     great country that we, the people, have proclaimed The United 
     States of America.
       The flag is it's own special kind of genius. You see the 
     stars, stripes, and colors all inspire me in different ways. 
     Fifty Stars, thirteen stripes, and three colors are all part 
     of the master symbol of our country; all has given me more 
     than significant inspiration. Thus I will explain.
       Fifty bright white stars represent each and every state of 
     this noble country. A National Jamboree is my destination 
     therefore I will get a chance to meet people from each and 
     every one of those states. An opportunity to experience 
     cultures specific to each region of this country, for each 
     state is represented by 1 of those fantastic stars on the 
     flag of this country.
       Thirteen stripes on the banner that is this country, 
     thirteen stripes that embody the thirteen original colonies 
     that formed this country. All of which helped bestow all 
     Americans with the freedoms that we are blessed with. Those 
     colonies fought for what they considered was right, they 
     defended their freedoms. Who knew they were at the threshold 
     of creating the world's greatest country. A country free from 
     gross prejudice of one's ethnicity, beliefs, religion, likes 
     and dislikes.
       Nobody in that time had any idea of the immense change 
     those thirteen colonies would make in the world, freedom that 
     today is defended by the greatest fighting force in the 
     world, the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Armed Forces 
     fight for our country protecting us from people who dislike 
     our ability to be unrestrained in our everyday lives. The 
     U.S. Armed Forces, like the people in those thirteen original 
     colonies, are fighting for what the think is right. Why do 
     they risk their lives? Simple their own, and others, belief 
     in freedom is worth fighting for. After all freedom is not 
     free.
       Myself as an American hold my freedom on the highest 
     pinnacle. Those thirteen colonies that started this whole 
     country have granted all Americans with the greatest possible 
     gift. So I am grateful for the ability to go back to many of 
     these great colonies and see what they fought for, experience 
     what they fought and hopefully get a glimpse of what it will 
     become. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to be 
     able to see the naval ports, see the modern day defenders of 
     our country and how they do what they do.
       Red; the color that represents the hardiness and valor of 
     this Nation, red is for the blood, sweat and tears that have 
     gone into making this great country what it is. Hardiness for 
     the millions who have served this Nation with pride. 
     Hardiness for all of those who endured through the cannon 
     blasts of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, hardiness for the 
     ones who spent hundreds of hours in the grueling trenches of 
     World War One. Hardiness for the near Thirteen million United 
     States Soldiers who, once again, proved to the world we will 
     not sit quietly in World War Two, welldeserved valor for the 
     individuals in Middle Eastern countries currently defending 
     us from terrorism each day. All of which have proven to the 
     world that we are

[[Page 19181]]

     the true protectors of freedom. Proved to me, and the world, 
     what it means to be hardy and valorous. Red is the color that 
     represents the millions of individual's sacrifices for me, 
     for this Nation. And when I stand at this Nation's capital 
     and look at Old Glory waving, I will remember those 
     individuals and their sacrifices, and I will thank them.
       Bright white stripes, six of them on the flag, hold the 
     beliefs of purity and innocence of this Nation. Purity and 
     innocence that in this modern day uphold America as a 
     defender not as an aggressor. In this day America is a world 
     power not a world conqueror. Purity is for those who hold 
     themselves true by using their rights as a good citizen, by 
     supporting their country in what it does, by participating in 
     this country's democracy. We can show purity by respecting 
     other citizens of this country, innocence by living our lives 
     without regrets. Myself as a scout can obtain and uphold this 
     Nation's purity and innocence by living the Scout Oath and 
     Law. I can live the Scout Oath and Law and show others to 
     take pride in themselves and in their country, by being able 
     to go to Washington DC. I can demonstrate these actions and I 
     can influence others to do so.
       There is a field of blue on the flag for justice, 
     perseverance, and vigilance. One's peers provide fair justice 
     in this country. This country has for nearly 100 years served 
     in protecting itself and others from assailants. Providing 
     justice to where it is deserved. From the improper acts of 
     Pre-Revolutionary War Britain, Nazi Germany, the Jungles of 
     Vietnam, or Terrorist occupied Middle Eastern Countries 
     America has proven its evenhandedness. Perseverance is surely 
     this country's most pronounced value. If perseverance were 
     not valued so highly in this country it would simply not 
     exist. Perseverance made this country, made it and has kept 
     it here for the past 229 years.
       What if we had not persevered in the Revolutionary war? 
     Would America still be here? The most likely answer is no. 
     The Civil War without perseverance would have ended in the 
     Confederate States of America. Not only in wars must we 
     persevere in life we must. If people do not try hard to 
     complete things, this country, this world would not be the 
     great place it is. Vigilance is simply defined by Webster as 
     ``Alert Watchfulness'' and I could not label it better 
     myself. America has watched over its people and the world 
     doing its best to keep all safe. In a single week I will see 
     these values and all their meaning when I am in D.C. I will 
     value them every day of my life as I always have as far back 
     as I can remember. I can see the documents that made America 
     free. As far as seeing perseverance, I cannot list all the 
     sights and sounds that are supreme examples to me of that 
     value. Justice can be seen in small things as someone stating 
     their opinion of right and wrong to another individual, or a 
     single person standing before a judge a twelve of his peers, 
     however I will be able to see it on the grandest scale the 
     supreme court of America. I can see vigilance as I will go to 
     Pentagon City and for those opportunities that have been 
     given to me I am truly grateful.
       As I have stated in the above topics the values that are 
     presented on the flag are the one's that I will value most on 
     this trip to the United States Capital. The fifty states that 
     hold the values true, thirteen colonies that made it all 
     happen, hardiness, valor, purity, innocence, justice, 
     perseverance, and vigilance are all valued highly by many but 
     the ones who make values more than just a value are citizens 
     of the United States of America. Boy Scouts, doctors, 
     lawyers, auto mechanics, pilots, military personal are all 
     people that make this country what it is, and that is the way 
     it is supposed to be in a democracy. I am eternally grateful 
     to be able to be an American and having this tour to the 
     Nations Capital given to me just reinforces my strong beliefs 
     in this country and the people who belong to it.
       I would like to thank the complete organization of the Boy 
     Scouts of America. I would also like to personally thank my 
     Scoutmaster Mr. Jeff Radke, the whole Jungers family, Mr. 
     Mike Simonet, and my parents for letting me go on such an 
     endeavor.
       Thank You All So Much.
       To the members of the United States Armed Forces, 
     nationwide Firefighters and Policemen and Women, I thank you 
     for the sacrifices that you have made, and are willing to 
     make on behalf of myself and this entire nation. Thank you.

  Mr. COLEMAN. In closing, I thank Eyan and all of the Boy Scouts of 
America for their service not only to God and country, but also to 
their homes and committees.

                          ____________________