Members of Congress share their thoughts on Scouting

Politicians may not align on every issue, but here’s one topic about which there’s near-unanimous agreement: Scouting helps prepare young men and young women for life.

That message was delivered this week inside Senate committee rooms and around ornate conference tables. It was shared in the marble-lined hallways of the Capitol and in meeting areas normally reserved for heads of state. It was repeated by members of both political parties.

The Report to the Nation delegates — representing all four regions and four different BSA programs — were given rare access to some of our nation’s top leaders. In turn, these leaders met some of our country’s future leaders.

Here’s what a few of them said about Scouting, in chronological order.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Despite her busy job as Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi spent more than 15 minutes with the delegates.

In 2007, Pelosi became the first female speaker in U.S. history. This fact gave Natalie MacEwan, a Venturer from California, a perfect opportunity to share some exciting news about the Boy Scouts of America.

“We had more than 77,000 girls join Cub Scouts in the first six months,” Natalie said.

She then presented Pelosi with a limited-edition “Scout Me In” neckerchief given to all members of Congress who met with the delegates.

“This is a first,” Pelosi said, putting the neckerchief on. “This will be something that I will proudly display and explain what you just explained.”

After hearing each delegate’s Scouting story, Pelosi offered a few parting words.

“Leadership development is essential to the strength of our democracy,” she said. “It gives me so much hope to see these future leaders — current leaders, really.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Sen. Mitch McConnell visited with the delegates for a few minutes before he was due back on the Senate floor.

He received a copy of the Report to the Nation and posed for a photo, copies of which his office will mail to each delegate.

“Congratulations all of you. I’m really proud of you,” he said. Thank you for coming by and making your annual report, and good luck.”

Sen. Mike Enzi, Wyoming — Eagle Scout

The remaining dignitaries listed here spoke at a special event for Eagle Scouts on Capitol Hill.

On Wednesday, Eagle Scouts who work in Washington — and their invited guests — gathered inside a Senate committee room to rally support for Scouting.

The first speaker was Sen. Mike Enzi, an Eagle Scout from Wyoming. He said that his motivation for earning Scouting’s highest honor was a leader who gave him a challenge. If Enzi wanted to attend the 1957 National Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, he’d need to earn Eagle first.

He did, and he’s been proud of his achievement ever since.

“Put Eagle Scout on your résumé for the rest of your life,” he told the crowd. “No matter how old you are, no matter whether you’re applying for a job with somebody who isn’t a Scout. They know the value of that badge.”

Next, Enzi offered a trivia question: How many Eagle Scout awards have been given away in the history of the Boy Scouts of America?

After a pause for dramatic effect, Enzi shared the answer.

“None,” he said. “They were all earned.”

Rep. Jim Cooper, Tennessee — Eagle Scout

Rep. Jim Cooper said he never got to attend a National Jamboree or go on a trek at a high-adventure base. His transformative Scouting experiences happened closer to home: at Boxwell Scout Reservation in Tennessee.

He echoed Enzi’s sentiment, encouraging everyone to keep the words “Eagle Scout” on their résumé for the rest of their lives.

“Scouting is the finest youth leadership program there is,” he said. “Keep up the great work.”

Rep. Sanford Bishop, Georgia — Eagle Scout

When he was 11 years old, Rep. Sanford Bishop started working on the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. The badge developed within him an interest in the inner workings of government.

“I never imagined that one day I would be living what I studied,” he said.

Bishop said the Scout Oath and Scout Law have guided him throughout his life.

“I certainly would not be the person I am today were it not for Scouting,” he said.

Rep. Trent Kelly, Mississippi — Eagle Scout

Rep. Trent Kelly used his time to memorialize his boyhood Scoutmaster — a man named Richard Chisolm, who died on March 4.

“I come from a small, small town, where we didn’t think you could go anywhere but there,” Kelly said. “But because of Richard Chisolm, we believed there was a greater and more beautiful world.”

Kelly encouraged everyone to become a mentor like Chisolm, who affected countless young lives through his time as a volunteer.

“Honor the memory of those who helped you get there,” Kelly said. “Help someone else to achieve and understand that there’s a better world.”

Rep. Chris Collins, New York — Eagle Scout

Rep. Chris Collins asked Isabella Messer of Maine to stand up and be recognized. Isabella, one of the first girls to join Scouts BSA, received a rousing applause from the room of Eagle Scouts.

“Times are changing,” Collins said, “and Scouts are changing with it.”

He encouraged Scouting alumni to find a way to remain involved in the program.

“Scouting has been good to you as a youth,” he said. “Be good to Scouting as an adult.”

Rep. Steve Stivers, Ohio — Eagle Scout

Rep. Steve Stivers pointed to a member of his staff who had joined him at the event.

“He was not a Scout, and he is ‘very useless outdoors’ — that was his quote to me as we were walking in,” Stivers said good-naturedly. “Boy Scouts taught me survival skills and outdoor skills, but it also was a great time. I made a lot of great friends.”

Reiterating the theme of the evening, Stivers talked about the value of becoming an Eagle Scout.

“Eagle Scout is one of the few things you can put on your résumé when you’re 15, 16, 17 or 18 and still have on your résumé when you’re 53, 65, 70,” he said. “It’s something you can be proud of forever.”

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Photos by Michael Roytek and Randy Piland. See more photos here.