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[Page S1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CENTENNIAL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA GREATER WYOMING COUNCIL
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of 100 years
of Scouting in Wyoming.
On Saturday, March 21, 2020, the Boy Scouts of America Greater
Wyoming Council will host their annual Silver Beaver and Eagle Scout
Recognition Luncheon in Casper. This year holds a special significance
as they will celebrate their 100th anniversary at this event.
The Boy Scouts of America incorporated on February 8, 1910. Scouting
came to Casper with the creation of the Casper Council in 1917. The
council continued to expand, changing its name to the Casper Area
Council in 1925, Central Wyoming Council in 1931, and finally the
Greater Wyoming Council in 2016. The Boy Scouts of America's mission is
``to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their
lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.''
The council remains true to this mission and to their purpose to
educate youth, age 5 to 21, to build character, develop personal
fitness, and to train in the responsibilities of participating
citizenship.
In Wyoming, the Greater Wyoming Council upholds the mission and
purpose of the Boy Scouts through service to 11 counties and 3,000
youth across our State. The organization enjoys tremendous community
support with 1,400 volunteers and 150 community partners. This
consistent and broad involvement demonstrates what a valuable benefit
the council provides to the youth and people of Wyoming.
The council provides a variety of events and opportunities for
Scouts, families, and communities in Wyoming. These events include
their annual Strength of America Banquet, the annual Camp Buffalo Bill
Summer Camp in Cody, fishing tournaments, and family camping trips.
They work hard to provide many opportunities for Scouts to participate
in fellowships, trainings, basecamps, and much more, to help members
be, as the Scouts say, ``Prepared for life.''
Brad Bodoh, the Scout executive for the council, has a strong
background in serving the Scouts of America. We are fortunate to have
his leadership. Before Brad made Wyoming home, he worked for the Boy
Scouts of America in Iowa and Ohio. The knowledge and experience Brad
brings to the Greater Wyoming Council allow the Scouts to flourish and
expand their skills. Senior district executives Frank Solla and Andrew
Allgeier, in addition to the council office staff, are instrumental in
growing and supporting the organization's participation throughout the
state.
In Wyoming, we live by the Code of the West. One of the principles of
the Code is ``to take pride in your work.'' The council's volunteers
and families embody this principle. They make it possible for Scouts to
advance through the program all the way through the rank of Eagle
Scout. They see their work rewarded every time a Cub Scout earns a new
badge and an Eagle Scout completes their project. The support for this
organization is truly exceptional, and Wyoming is better for it.
Mr. President, it is my pleasure to honor this historic milestone for
the Greater Wyoming Council. Their centennial celebration is a
recognition of all the hard work and preparation the council has done
in the past 100 years and will continue to do for the next 100 years.
Bobbi and I are proud of the Greater Wyoming Council and the community
support behind it. We celebrate the century of Scouting in Wyoming and
extend our congratulations.
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