[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                AARON EILERTS DAY OF SERVICE AND GIVING

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I wish to visit with you about 
voluntarism. I wish to use the example of a deceased Boy Scout as the 
perfect example.
  Today is the day we Iowans honor the life and legacy of a young Boy 
Scout--a compassionate teenager who lived his life in passionate 
service to others. Mr. President, 14-year-old Aaron Eilerts from Eagle 
Grove, IA, tragically lost his own life last summer when a deadly 
tornado swept through Camp Little Sioux on January 11, 2008. One Iowan, 
Aaron, and three Nebraska boys lost their lives that evening.
  Fifteen years ago today, Bob and Carol Eilerts experienced the 
overwhelming joy and elation that parents treasure the day their child 
is born. The Eilerts undoubtedly took pride in shouldering the 
responsibilities and sacrifices that parenthood brings. It was not long 
before his parents would realize their beloved son spread joy in 
service to others, in ways big and small, with family, friends, 
neighbors, the elderly, and even total strangers.
  As a Boy Scout, Aaron took to heart the tenets of his organization. 
Through words and deeds, he upheld the Boy Scout Law, which prescribed 
a Scout as ``trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, 
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.'' Every Boy 
Scout knows those words.
  By all accounts, Aaron Eilerts lived and breathed the objectives of 
an honorable Boy Scout, which included character development, 
citizenship, and personal fitness. As a parent and grandparent, I can 
appreciate the demands placed on our youth to excel in academics, 
navigate social pressures, participate in extracurricular activities, 
and to just ``be.''
  Similar to many young people growing up in small town Iowa, Aaron's 
extensive list of activities was impressive. Besides the Humboldt Boy 
Scout Troop 108, Aaron participated in football, cross country, track, 
band, choir, theater, and art. Aaron also was an agent of the CIA; that 
is, ``Character in Action,'' a youth leadership character-building 
organization at Robert Blue Middle School. With so many irons in the 
fire, it is even more remarkable to consider the time and energy Aaron 
devoted in service to others.
  Consider a few of the community service projects this industrious 14-
year-old organized: hand-sewing pillowcases for pediatric patients, 
teachers, and others in need; making blankets for animals at the Humane 
Society; volunteering at the local senior center and nursing home; 
performing the National Anthem at local high school events; and making 
it a habit to do great deeds and simple acts of kindness just to make 
his community a better place to live.
  We can honor his legacy of service by following in the footsteps of 
this local teenage legend. The Governor of Iowa, Chet Culver, has 
proclaimed today, February 24, as the first annual Aaron Eilerts Day of 
Service and Giving. Scores of schools and service organizations across 
the State of Iowa have made plans to participate. Inspired by this 
young man's spirit of service, thousands of school students across Iowa 
will seize this opportunity to make their community a better place.
  Just a few of the service projects underway today include shoveling 
snow; sewing pillowcases to donate to hospitals, veterans facilities, 
and nursing homes; creating fleece tie blankets for shelters; packaging 
meals in a box for local food pantries; conducting food and diaper 
services and drives that are connected with that; and pumping gas and 
cleaning windshields at local service stations.
  The Bible tells us in Acts 20:35:

       It is more blessed to give than receive.

  Many of us who contribute time, talents, and treasure in service to 
others often find we are the ones who are blessed by giving. If I may 
suggest, I believe Aaron Eilerts, if he were alive today, would agree.
  Although he did not share the world stage of Mother Teresa, who 
devoted her life to poverty in service to others, Aaron showed his 
compassion for others on the stages of his hometown, from the senior 
centers, to hospitals, school and community events. Mother Teresa is 
attributed with an observation that applies so well to this young man 
from Eagle Grove. Mother Teresa said:

       Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.

  Aaron Eilerts was a product of small-town Iowa--a small town that 
took pride in its community, and he took pride in his community. Eagle 
Grove takes pride in this young man, Aaron Eilerts, who was killed last 
June.
  I would like to extend, again, my sincerest condolences to the family 
and loved ones Aaron Eilerts has preceded into God's Kingdom. I also 
would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to my 
fellow citizens from the other 49 States. I welcome you to join the 
State of Iowa, and Iowans generally, next year on February 24 to 
participate in the annual Aaron Eilerts Day of Service and Giving, as 
declared by Governor Culver of my State of Iowa.
  Tragic circumstances abbreviated the life of this young Iowan with no 
warning and with no opportunity for second chances.
  Let Aaron's life and legacy of service inspire each of us to respond 
in our own neighborhoods and communities to the call of service of 
giving.

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