Let's play a little game.
Gather 81 non-scouts into a large circle and place 31 Eagle Scouts inside the circle ; this circle connected to Scouting inside the circle. This second circle represents the 500 lawmakers in Washington represents Congress. Gather 294 more people into another circle and place 206 people.
According to a July report by FoxNews, thirty-one of the one hundred-twelve-member US Congress holds the esteemed title of Eagle Scout. Also noteworthy, two hundred-six of Washington, D.C.’s five hundred lawmakers have some connection to Scouting, either as past scouts or adult volunteers.
Alphabetically by state, here are the Congressional Eagle Scouts. Is your Senator or Representative among them?
Alabama:
Senator Jeff Sessions (R)
Georgia:
Rep. Sanford Bishop (D)
Idaho:
Senator Michael Carpo (R)
Illinois:
Representative Robert J. Dold (R)
Indiana:
Senator Richard G. Lugar (R)
Mississippi:
Senator Thad Cochran (R)
Missouri:
Representative Russ Carnahan (D)
Representative Sam Graves (R)
Nebraska:
Senator Ben Nelson (D)
New Jersey:
Representative Christopher H. Smith (R)
New Mexico:
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D)
New York:
Representative Gary L. Ackerman (D)
Ohio:
Senator Sherrod Brown (D)
Representative Steve Stivers (R)
Oregon:
Senator Jeff Merkley (D)
Representative Greg Walden (R)
Pennsylvania:
Senator Patrick J. Toomey (R)
Representative Mike G. Fitzpatrick (R)
Representative Glenn W. “GT” Thompson (R)
South Carolina:
Representative Joe Wilson (R)
Tennessee:
Senator Lamar Alexander (R)
Representative Jim Cooper (D)
Representative Phil Roe, M.D. (R)
Texas:
Representative Louie Gohmert (R)
Representative Jeb Hensarling (R)
Representative Pete Sessions (R)
Utah:
Senator Mike Lee (R)
Wyoming:
Senator Michael B. Enzi (R)
We all know Scouting teaches our young men a sense of self and a sense of community. Imagine with me, just for a moment, a country whose government is filled with Eagle Scouts. Although I’m sorely tempted, I will not post my opinions about the political impact that could make. (As an aside, I find it just a bit ironic that our President and Honorary Chairman of the BSA, did not bother to attend the 2011 Jamboree, sending pre-recorded remarks in his stead. Hmm….)
I would love to read your comments though!
Happy Scouting!
Jen