[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ROBERT WETZEL--RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED EAGLE SCOUT 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Robert Wetzel as a recipient of the Distinguished 
Eagle Scout Award.
  The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was established in 1969 to 
acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in business 
and in service to their community and country, Robert Wetzel is one of 
1467 people who are in the same class as President Gerald Ford, 
astronaut Neil Armstrong and film Director Steven Spielberg. Eagle 
Scouts are eligible to receive the award 25 years after their first 
receipt of the Eagle Scout Award.
  Forty-nine years ago, Bob earned his Eagle Scout award as a Boy Scout 
with Troop 27 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Bob attributes his upbringing 
to his active role in the community and to our nation. In fact, both of 
Bob's parents volunteered many hours with the Boy Scouts.
  Among the many service organizations to which Bob belongs are: the 
Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois, the Regional Commerce and 
Growth Association, the Eden United Church of Christ and the advisory 
Council for the Boy Scouts Trails West Council. Bob is the first 
recipient of this award from the Trails West Council. Trails West 
serves Madison, Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Macoupin and Bond counties in 
Illinois.
  The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award has been given to governors, 
senators, military Flag Officers, university presidents, chief 
executive officers of Fortune 500 companies and nationally known 
educators, physicians and attorneys. We can now count among its 
illustrious membership, Mr. Bob Wetzel.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the service 
of Robert Wetzel to the community and to the United States and 
congratulate him upon the receipt of the Distinguished Eagle Scout 
Award and to wish him and his family the very best for the future.

                          ____________________