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Nebraskans sometimes ask me what's the most important thing I've done in my life besides raising a family and they are often surprised by the answer. I’ve been a governor, a senator, and owned my own business but the most important thing I've done is to become an Eagle Scout.
Becoming an Eagle Scout set the stage for everything that would follow because of the lesson it taught me which is to set goals and finish a project.
Being an Eagle Scout and Boy Scout before that and Cub Scout before that weren't only rewarding and taught me a lot, they were fun and resulted in many lasting friendships.
Scouting Centennial
The Boy Scouts of America is approaching its 100th birthday and it seems only fitting that on its centennial that our country should honor this outstanding organization that has helped so many young people and produced so many leaders.
I have joined with Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama in introducing bi-partisan legislation to create a $1 silver coin to recognize the Boy Scouts' 100th anniversary in 2010.
Under the legislation, the U.S. Mint would produce 350,000 commemorative coins in honor of the centennial anniversary. A share of the proceeds from the sale of the coins would be donated to further scouting activities in underserved areas of the country.
This coin serves as a memorial and a promise to the millions of scouts in America, both young and old, that the Boy Scouts of America has and will continue to positively shape the lives of young men for many years to come.
Scouting Mission
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America 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: to help people at all times, to keep yourself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Since 1910, more than 111 million youth have participated in scouting programs, making it the largest youth organization in the United States.
There are currently 3 million youth and 1 million adult leaders in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing programs across the country, accounting for more than 6.5 million hours of community service and 75,000 community improvement projects in the last four years alone.
Almost Half of the Current Congress Were Scouts
Congress granted the Boy Scouts of America a federal charter in 1916. 248 of the 535 members of the 110th Congress have participated in Boy Scouts of America as scouts or adult leaders.
The physical design of the coin, which has not yet been determined, will be symbolic of the 100 years of service by the Boy Scouts. Minting of the coins, which will occur between Feb. 8, 2010, and Jan. 11, 2011, will be at no cost to the taxpayer.
This is a fitting tribute to an organization that for nearly a hundred years has done "a good turn daily", to quote its slogan, by training youth in character, competence and citizenship. One good turn deserves another and I hope you’re looking forward as much as I am to see those $1 coins in the next couple of years.
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