[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9491]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL CAMPOREE FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA 
 COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                               BOY SCOUTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and to 
extend my congratulations on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary 
of the Boy Scouts of America. This month also marks the Centennial 
Camporee for the National Capital Area Council, ``Scouting in Action, A 
Century of Values.'' Thousands of attendees will participate in the 
2010 Camporee which will be held in Goshen, Virginia.
  The Boy Scouts were founded in the United States on February 8, 1910, 
by William D. Boyce when he incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. The 
Boy Scouts of America instills in young Americans the values and traits 
of being a good citizen. After 100 years of scouting, these founding 
principles have guided over 100 million Boy Scouts to be trustworthy, 
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, 
brave, clean and reverent.
  The National Capital Area Council has a distinguished history within 
the Boy Scouts. Its predecessor, the District of Columbia Council was 
the first area Council for the Boy Scouts of America. In 1913, the DC 
Council was recognized by President Woodrow Wilson for its service 
during his Presidential inauguration, which began a tradition of Boy 
Scout involvement in presidential inaugurations. With the addition of 
Arlington, the District of Columbia Council was reorganized and renamed 
the National Capital Area Council.
  The link between citizenship and scouting, combined with strong 
leadership and proximity to the Federal Government, has enabled the 
National Capital Area Council to be a leader within the Boy Scouts of 
America organization. This Council is now one of the largest in the 
country and is comprised of troops from 10 counties in Northern 
Virginia, six counties in Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
  The influence and importance of scouting cannot be overstated. 
Scouting instills and reinforces strong character traits such as 
commitment to the community, value of working to achieve a goal, 
discipline and honesty. Scouting alumni include world leaders in 
virtually every field: Politics, medicine, entertainment, sports, and 
science.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
Boy Scouts of America on the occasion of their 100th anniversary as 
well as in extending our best wishes for a successful and fun filled 
Camporee. I also would like express my deep appreciation to the troop 
leaders and parents for their commitment to teaching our youth the 
skills and values that will serve them well throughout their lives.

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