FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, July 31, 2005
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The White House - Office of the Press Secretary
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Remarks by the President at 2005 National Scout Jamboree |
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Fort A.P. Hill
Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia
7:19 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
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 and
applause.) It's a fantastic sight to look out on more than 30,000 young men
wearing the uniform of the Boy Scouts. (Applause.)
At this base there are Scouts from all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, Guam, the
Virgin Islands, and countries from all around the world. (Applause.) 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.
(Applause.)
Coming to this jamboree gives me great confidence in the future of our
nation. For nearly a hundred 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
The first Scout Jamboree was held in Washington, D.C. The 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. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) Down the hall
is Vice President Dick Cheney, a Boy Scout from Casper, Wyoming. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) 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 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. (Applause.) 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 allusion. 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) That truth is expressed well in the Scout slogan:
Do a good turn daily. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) In Nebraska, Scouts have made more than 11,000
pocket-size flags to send to troops serving overseas. (Applause.) In California,
Boy Scouts donated money they raised for summer camps to help victims of the
tsunami in Asia. (Applause.) In Louisiana, Scouts collected five tons of food to
donate to a food bank. (Applause.) In Florida, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts worked
together to clean up the roads before the Super Bowl. (Applause.) And right here
at the National Jamboree, Scouts are working with Habitat for Humanity to build
a home for a Virginia family in need. (Applause.) On behalf of a grateful
nation, I thank the Boy Scouts for serving on the front line of America's armies
of compassion. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.) I believe we're laying 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. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.)
END 7:37 P.M. EDT
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