[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6677]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF BOY SCOUT TROOP 7

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                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2013

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of Boy Scout Troop 7 of Grapevine, Texas. This troop has a 
rich history of developing boys into responsible young men.
  Boy Scout Troop 7 was founded in 1913, only three years after William 
D. Boyce founded scouting in the United States. The origin of Troop 7 
began when the Mayor of Grapevine, Benjamin Richard Wall, traveled to 
New York to learn about scouting. He returned home to Grapevine with 
the number 7 Boy Scout Unit Charter, one of the first charters west of 
the Mississippi River. Mayor Wall was actively involved with the troop 
from its founding until 1954.
  In 1923, Troop 7 was chartered in Arlington, Texas, but it moved back 
to Grapevine in 1931 whereupon it was chartered to the Grapevine 
Business Men's League. In 1932, the group's charter transferred to the 
Grapevine City Council under Mayor Ernest E. Lowe as the Scoutmaster. 
In 1939, the Grapevine Lions club assumed the troop's charter. The 
Lions Club till this day continues to support Troop 7 by collaborating 
with the scouts at Grapevine festival events. The St. Lawrence 
Episcopal Church hosted the troop charter from 1976-1978. The charter 
lapsed in 1979 which broke the long tenure for Troop 7. St Francis 
Catholic Church in Grapevine became the chartering organization in 1980 
and continues as such today.
  As of today, Troop 7 is led by Scoutmaster Don Blan, who is an Eagle 
Scout. Troop 7 has over 50 scouts who actively assist community 
organizations such as Bluebonnet Hills during its Memorial Day service, 
schools, municipalities, and other organizations that benefit from 
Eagle Scout projects.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Boy 
Scout Troop 7 on its 100th Anniversary.

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