[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE FOUNDING OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to 
acknowledge the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of 
America. This organization, which was incorporated on February 8th, 
1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia, has long been the 
largest youth organization in the nation and has done well in producing 
responsible citizens of strong character.
  The Boy Scouts of America was rapid in its initial growth; only two 
years after its founding, Boy Scout troops were established in every 
state. Time and time again the Boy Scouts of America has proven its 
commitment to our nation, with initiatives such as, ``Every Scout Feed 
a Soldier'' and ``A Good Turn for America''. The past 99 years have 
seen more than 112 million youth bear the traditions of excellence 
rooted in the history of the Boy Scouts of America.
  In the Chicagoland Area, Scouting is as prevalent of a force as it 
has always been. Currently, nearly 10,000 youth are actively involved 
in the Scouting program of our local council. In addition, through the 
Chicago Area Council's involvement in Learning for Life Programs, over 
35,000 additional youth are immersed as well in the principles of 
scouting. Combining the two programs, nearly one in every seven youth 
in Chicago is in someway involved in the Scouting program.
  I am sure that the spirit of Scouting is present in this very body, 
as it has been in the past. A survey conducted by the Boy Scouts of 
America revealed that nearly 60 percent of the membership of the 110th 
Congress had at some point participated in Scouting.
  I am grateful that the twin pillars of the Scout Oath and Scout Law 
have served to shape the character of both young men and women of all 
ages, colors, codes, and creeds. With the continued contributions of 
the Boy Scouts of America and organizations like it, we can be sure 
that our youth are developing into good citizens.

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