Recognizing the Congressional Scouting Caucus

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join the bipartisan Congressional Scouting Caucus.

Scouting has been an essential part of my life. I am an Eagle Scout and was a Scoutmaster for more than 30 years.

The lessons I learned through Scouting: leadership, service, self- reliance, and integrity remain deeply imbedded in my daily life and guide my work here in Congress.

My decisions are guided by the principles of the Scout oath: my duty to God, duty to country, duty to others, and to myself. That is the kind of clarity and compass that Scouting instills. It is a moral benchmark, one that teaches young people to serve their communities, respect others, and become engaged, responsible citizens.

That is why I am proud of the work we are doing with the bipartisan Congressional Scouting Caucus. This group exists to strengthen and support Scouting programs across the country and to highlight the incredible impact Scouts have in each of our districts.

Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join our caucus whether you were a Scout yourself, have Scouts in your family, or simply believe in the power of mentorship and youth leadership. There is no better time to get involved than now.

Today, we are hosting Camp Capitol Hill, an event that will bring the spirit of Scouting right to the heart of our Nation's Capital. This unique showcase will feature Scouts demonstrating outdoor and leadership skills right here on the Capitol grounds in the Rayburn foyer. Displays will include camping equipment, a canoe, a rocket, robotics, knot tying, and Pinewood Derby car racing, alongside educational tables sharing the story and scope of modern Scouting.

There will also be a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Scouting leaders and alumni, highlighting the diverse ways this program shapes the next generation of leaders, young men and women who will one day serve as firefighters, teachers, doctors, small business owners, and yes, even Members of Congress.

We are also hosting Eagles on the Hill, a reception that will bring together Eagle Scouts and Scouting alumni to celebrate our shared background in Scouting. Eagles on the Hill serves as a reminder that even when Eagle Scouts in Washington disagree on the issues before us, we are united in the belief that Scouting instills essential leadership skills and character values.

The Scouting memorial, just steps from where we sit today, is a tribute not only to the organization but to the ideals it stands for: duty, service, community, and character.

That memorial was made possible entirely through Scout-raised funds in 1960, mostly in the form of dimes. Those Scouts who sent in their dimes have their names engraved at the base of that statue, reminding us of the quiet strength and legacy of civic engagement.

Madam Speaker, I, once again, encourage all my colleagues to join the Congressional Scouting Caucus, attend Camp Capitol Hill, and support the young people who work every day to build a stronger, more service- minded America.

Let's help ensure that the next generation lives up to the Scout law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Also today, on a personal note, I welcome Josh and Finn Kirby to Washington, a Scout leader and a Scout, from the Boy Scout Council in the Juniata Valley.

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