[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 1540] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO GERALD WAYNE SMITH ______ HON. DALE E. KILDEE of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, February 22, 2010 Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Gerald Wayne Smith as he is awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. At the age of 71, Gerald is one of the oldest individuals in our country to receive this distinction. Over the years the Tall Pine Council of the Boy Scouts of America has worked to provide the Scouting opportunity for every youngster. The focus of their program is to accommodate all abilities. The Council holds a ``Handicapable Camporee'' on a regular basis to allow all scouts regardless of their abilities to learn how to function in an outdoors setting. The Tall Pine Council ranks near the top of Boy Scout Councils across the Nation that have awarded the Eagle Scout rank to youngsters with disabilities. Gerald Wayne Smith is a charter member of Boy Scout Troop 117, a Tall Pine Council Boy Scout Troop founded on October 16, 1961 as a troop devoted to Scouts with differing abilities. He has served as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster since 1974, and was promoted to Life Scout in 1989. Gerald was elected to the Order of the Arrow, an honor given to those Scouts that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. He completed his Ordeal requirements in 1985, the Brotherhood requirements in 1986 and completed the Vigil level requirements in 1998. The Order of the Arrow is considered to be scouting's national service organization and Gerald is recognized as an honored camper. The purpose of the Order is to promote the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of cheerful service to others. After overseeing a landscaping and canopy renovation project at Asbury United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan, Gerald fulfilled the requirements to receive the Eagle Scout Award. Only about five percent of Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout and it is the highest level a Boy Scout can achieve. He is the ninth Scout in Troop 117 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Madam Speaker, Gerald Wayne Smith has exhibited leadership, service, and outdoor skills, throughout his Boy Scout career. These are the three essential elements to earning the Eagle Scout Award and he is to be commended for his commitment to Scouting and his perseverance in achieving his goal. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding this tremendous achievement and congratulating him for his accomplishment. ____________________