[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 857-858]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO EAGLE SCOUT MATTHEW ALAN CHRISTENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 1, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Matthew Alan Christensen of Boy Scout Troop 550 in Council Bluffs, Iowa 
for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
  The Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank in scouting. 
Only about five percent of Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout Award. The 
award is a performance-based achievement with high standards that have 
been well-maintained over the past century.
  To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout is obligated to pass 
specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges, as

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well as completing an Eagle Project to benefit the community. For his 
project, Matthew organized a work crew to remove a half mile of fencing 
at the Hitchcock Nature Center in Crescent, Iowa. Matthew's efforts 
will help the center expand its borders as it continues to restore and 
promote the Loess Hills of Iowa. The work ethic Matthew has shown in 
his Eagle Project and every other project leading up to his Eagle Scout 
rank speaks volumes of his commitment to serving a cause greater than 
himself and assisting his community.
  Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young man and his supportive 
family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication and 
perseverance. I am honored to represent Matthew and his family in the 
United States Congress. I know that all of my colleagues in the House 
will join me in congratulating him on obtaining the Eagle Scout 
ranking, and I wish him continued success in his future education and 
career.

                          ____________________