    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 31, 2005]
    [Pages 1285-1288]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia
    July 31, 2005

        Daniel, thank you for your introduction.
    It's such an honor to be here. Laura and I join
    Americans across our country in extending our sympathy and prayers to
    the families of the Scout leaders who lost their lives so tragically
    earlier this week. The men you lost were models of good citizenship,
    leaders who stepped forward to serve a good and selfless cause. As Scout
    leaders, they devoted themselves to helping young men develop the
    character and skills they need to realize their dreams. These men will
    always be remembered for their leadership and kindness. And you Scouts
    honor them by living up to the ideals of the scouting they served.

        Daniel, I want to thank you for your
    introduction. I appreciate the Scouts picking a fellow Texan to
    introduce me.

        I want to thank Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis
    for her leadership. I don't know if you realize this, but she sponsored
    legislation in the House of Representatives to ensure that the Boy
    Scouts are granted equal access to public lands.

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        I want to thank the president of the Boy Scouts, John
    Cushman; Roy Williams, the chief scout executive; Fran Olmstead, the chairman of this fantastic jamboree. I
    also want to thank Major General Jay Yingling, who is the commander of the--Fort A.P. Hill. General,
    thank you and all your troops for making sure this jamboree was a great
    success.
        Here at the 16th National Scout Jamboree, you're carrying on a
    tradition that dates back almost seven decades. President Franklin
    Roosevelt came to the first jamboree in 1937. I don't think he rode in
    the same kind of helicopter I did, though. [Laughter] You know, I was
    looking forward to coming last week, but the thunderstorms got in the
    way. So I appreciate the rain check. [Laughter] It's a fantastic sight
    to look out on more than 30,000 young men wearing the uniform of the Boy
    Scouts.
        At this base there are Scouts from all 50 States plus Puerto Rico,
    Guam, the Virgin Islands, and countries from all around the world. As a
    former Cub Scout from Midland, Texas, I'm especially glad to be here
    with the Texas Scouts. [Applause] Sounds like you brought a big
    delegation this year.
        Coming to this jamboree gives me great confidence in the future of
    our Nation. For nearly 100 years, Boy Scouts have set a high standard of
    service and duty to God and country. Millions of Americans have pledged
    the Scout oath, ``On my honor, I'll do my best.'' And through the
    generations, Scouts have made America a stronger and better nation.
        Scouts have excelled in fields from science to business to education
    to the arts. Scouts have earned Olympic Gold Medals, Nobel Prizes, and
    Academy Awards. Thousands of Scouts have shown the highest form of
    patriotism, by going on to wear the uniform of the United States
    military.
        The first Scout Jamboree was held in Washington, DC, and Scouts have
    felt at home in the Nation's Capital ever since. More than half of the
    current Members of the United States Congress participated in the
    Scouts. One of the Capital's most famous Scouts is President Gerald
    Ford. He first saw Washington just a few
    years after he earned his Eagle badge and eventually became the first
    Eagle Scout to call the White House his home.
        As President, I have the privilege to work with Scouts every day.
    When I come to the Oval Office in the morning, the first person I see is
    a Scout, my Chief of Staff, Andy Card
    from the State of Massachusetts. Down the hall is Vice President Dick
    Cheney, a Boy Scout from Casper, Wyoming. And
    across the river at the Pentagon sits an Eagle Scout from Illinois who
    Americans count on to ``be prepared''--Secretary of Defense Donald
    Rumsfeld.
        These Scouts have a lot of things in common, and one of the most
    important is that they all benefited from the influence of a caring
    adult early in their lives. Across America, Scoutmasters and volunteers
    devote long hours to building the knowledge and integrity of our Scouts.
    It's not always an easy job. When I was a Cub Scout, my mother was our
    den mother. It's about the time her hair turned
    white. [Laughter] I want to thank the Scoutmasters of America and the
    volunteer Scouters for taking the time to care. I want to thank you for
    your leadership and thank you for setting such a good example for a new
    generation of Scouts.
        When you join a Scout troop and put on the Boy Scout uniform you
    make a statement. Your uniform is a sign that you're a certain kind of
    citizen, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,
    obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. These are the
    values of scouting, and they're important values for America. By working
    to live up to them, you're bringing great credit to yourselves and to
    our Nation.
        Coming to this jamboree is a great way to practice the values of
    Scout law. And when you get back home, there are a few

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    lessons you might keep in mind. The first one is one you've probably
    heard before, and it's one of the most valuable lessons I've learned:
    Listen to your mother. I didn't have much choice. Mom always has a way of speaking her mind. When I paid
    attention, I benefited. And that's how it still works. Listen, you may
    not always agree with your mother, but think of it this way: The first
    voice you heard is always worth listening to.
        Second, always remember where you come from and what you believe. At
    times you may come across people who say that moral truth is relative or
    call a religious faith a comforting illusion. They may question the
    values you learn in scouting. But remember, lives of purpose are
    constructed on the conviction there is right, and there is wrong, and we
    can know the difference.
        In the years ahead, you will find that indifferent or cynical people
    accomplish little that makes them proud. You'll find that confronting
    injustice and evil requires a vision of goodness and truth. You'll find
    that many in your community, especially those younger than you, look to
    you as an example of conduct and leadership. For your sake and for the
    sake of our country, I hope you'll always strive to be men of conviction
    and character.
        Finally, your life will grow in meaning when you serve a cause
    greater than yourself. There's a wise saying: We make a living by what
    we get; we make a life by what we give. That truth is expressed well in
    the Scout slogan: Do a good turn daily. When you help someone in need,
    you're making America more hopeful, one heart and one soul at a time.
    And you're answering the call to love a neighbor just like you'd like to
    be loved yourself.
        Every day, every day Scouts are showing that the greatest strength
    of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. Through your
    Good Turn for America initiative, Scouts have given more than 1.4
    million hours of volunteer service this year alone. In Nebraska, Scouts
    have made more than 11,000 pocket-size flags to send to troops serving
    overseas. In California, Boy Scouts donated money they raised for summer
    camps to help victims of the tsunami in Asia. In Louisiana, Scouts
    collected five tons of food to donate to a food bank. In Florida, Boy
    Scouts and Cub Scouts worked together to clean up the roads before the
    Super Bowl. And right here at the National Jamboree, Scouts are working
    with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a Virginia family in need.
    On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank the Boy Scouts for serving on
    the frontline of America's armies of compassion.
        Another organization devoted to service is USA Freedom Corps. I
    created the USA Freedom Corps in 2002 to match willing volunteers with
    opportunities in their communities. If you're interested in serving
    America, if you're listening to my speech today to the Boy Scouts, call
    up usafreedomcorps.gov to find out ways that you can join other kind-
    hearted Americans across our Nation to mentor children, to assist the
    elderly, to clean up the neighborhoods and perform countless acts of
    generosity. This year, Laura is going to work
    with organizations like the Boy Scouts to lead an initiative called
    Helping America's Youth.
        The Boy Scouts are recognizing our call to service with a special
    honor. I was pleased to accept the Good Turn for America award on behalf
    of the millions of volunteers all across our country who are helping
    this country be a hopeful place. By making a commitment to service, to
    integrity, and to good citizenship, all of you are showing your
    gratitude for the blessings of freedom.
        You also understand that freedom must be defended, and I appreciate
    the Scouts' long tradition of supporting the men and women of the United
    States military. Your generation is growing up in an historic time, a
    time when freedom is on the march. And America is proud to lead the
    armies of liberation. I believe we're laying

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    the foundations of peace for decades to come.
        And that's not the only reason I'm optimistic about the decades
    ahead, because I'm standing in front of America's future leaders. When
    you follow your conscience and the ideals you have sworn as a Scout,
    there is no limit to what you can achieve for our country. Continue to
    make right choices in life. Continue to set high standards. Continue to
    be a leader.
        Thanks for hosting me tonight. May God bless you all, and may God
    continue to bless the United States of America.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:19 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Eagle Scout Daniel Valella of Dallas, TX, who introduced the President;
    John C. Cushman, president, and Roy L. Williams, chief scout executive,
    Boy Scouts of America; Fran Olmstead, chairman, and Maj. Gen. John
    Yingling, task force commander, 2005 National Scout Jamboree.