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2009 Report to the State
Scouting: What a difference Scouting can make
Scouting has certainly made a difference in Olympia and with many of the leaders of our state. You all probably know that at least two of our (sounds ominous) former governors, Governor Gary Locke and Governor Evans, known as the “Straight Arrow,” are among the ranks of Eagle Scouts. And our Attorney General Rob McKenna, who wasn’t able to join us tonight, is also an Eagle Scout. I was a Boy Scout myself for a short time, but never achieved Eagle. Even so I’ve tried to be Boy Scout-like through a lifelong love, or some would say addiction, to the outdoors. Last week, in preparation for my remarks here tonight, I queried members of the Washington state senate to learn more about their respective experiences in Scouting or scouting-like programs. The reason I did this is because I wanted to know, and show, more about how scouting may have shaped the leaders of our state. We heard back from 15. And of those 15, only two indicated they weren’t involved in scouts or in a scouting-like youth program (such as 4-H). Several of our lady Senators were active in girl scouting programs as a youth, and as adults have actively participated in Boy Scout programs as well. For instance Senator Rosa
Franklin, who is also president pro tem of the Senate, was a den mother
and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She tells me: “Those were
fun times working with the children. Not only did they learn what
it means to be a good citizen, accomplish their projects, review their
badge but the camaraderie from working together and helping each I am
certain were invaluable lessons. I have fond memories of taking my
troop on a trip and the compliments received for how well behaved and
helpful those youngsters were.” Senator Tracey Eide, our majority floor leader from
the Federal Way area, says the girl scouts taught
her about trust, honesty and integrity
– and, as she says, how to
set a mighty fine dinner table.
Do they teach that in Boy Scouts too? Senator Karen Fraser,
whose district covers Thurston County, has an extremely long resume of
participation in both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, one which
culminated with her being the recipient of the coveted Silver Beaver
Award in the late 80s. At least two senators, Linda Evans Parlette and
Paull Shin, were not scouts themselves but raised sons to be Eagle
Scouts and have both been very active in the scouting program over the
years as adults. In fact Senator
Parlette’s husband is an Eagle Scout too.
Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt from the Walla Walla area has
many accomplishments to his credit but says to this day that one of his
few regrets in life was not going that extra step to become an Eagle
Scout during his scouting days. For these leaders of our state, as with so many of you, scouting served as the basis for many life-long memories. Said Senator Derek Kilmer from Kitsap County area:
“Other than the fun experiences and the skills
I learned, the best part of scouting for me was getting to spend more
time with my dad. He was our scout leader, and many of my best
memories from childhood were the times we spent scouting.” Beyond the halls of the
state Capitol, wherever you look in the ranks of business, labor,
industry or government and look at those who are making a difference you
will find scouting in their roots. Lifelong Washingtonian Jim Whittaker is a man of many firsts. He was the first American to climb the world’s highest peak, Everest, back in 1963. He led the first American ascent of the second highest peak, K-2. He later became the first president and CEO of Recreational Equipment Incorporated. Whittaker helped Bobby Kennedy, the brother of the president, become the first to climb a peak called Mount Kennedy, after JFK, up in the Yukon Territories following his brother’s assassination. But before any of these firsts he was first an Eagle Scout, earning that rank early on in his troop in West Seattle where he was raised. Although not from Washington another famous first feat was accomplished by another Eagle Scout, Neal Armstrong. He was the first man on the moon. The list of famous firsts by Eagles is indeed a very long one. But Scouting is not
really so much about firsts. It is more about giving back to the
community. I may be old-fashioned, but I like to think that if every one
of us could somehow incorporate the Scout Motto, and the Scout Law, the
Scout Oath and the Scout Slogan into their day to day lives we would all
be so much for the better.
Do a Good Turn Daily? Be Prepared. Help Other People at All
Times. These lessons are learned
early, and practiced throughout life, are additions to humanity and self
sufficiency. They too are subtractions from greed, from the “me”
generation. We all know these are tough times for the state of Washington. Too many people have lost their jobs in this recessionary economy. Especially now we need to Help Other People at All Times, and it may take some strength and extraordinary resilience to return to the prosperity we once had. In her recent Inaugural address, Governor Christine Gregoire took note of two words, words she said that would define us as we confront this challenge and seize the opportunity to bring Washington more firmly into the 21st Century. Those words are Courage and Generosity. I say this here tonight because scouts, and those who have been in scouts or involved with scouting, can understand perhaps more than any others what these words mean. You live and breathe these words every day by your actions and, as the governor said, your compassion and generosity for your neighbors. These words intone the need to separate ourselves as individuals and to work together to tackle our common problems. They are not hollow words, they are action words. Courage and Generosity go hand in hand with being Trustworthy, Helpful, Thrifty, Brave and so many other words that are firmly embedded in scouts and the scouting program. In my speech at this banquet last year I detailed several examples of how scouts stepped forward to serve others during the terrible floods that devastated so many parts of our state. I am sure that in this last round of floods in December, there were numerous more examples of scout troops being among the first to volunteer to help families and communities through their recovery efforts. Above all, Scouting plants the seeds of service, seeds that grow our young people into solid adults who put service above self in their lives. They become governors, senators, Supreme Court justices, philanthropists, educators, musicians, mountain climbers, adventurists … and most importantly scout leaders themselves. This is especially important because Scouting is also an organization that promotes mentorship. As co-chair of an organization called Washington State Mentors, I know the high value of mentors and the positive, lifelong impact that a good mentors have on the youth that they teach. Active mentorship programs like Scouting, where adults mentor youth leaders and older scouts mentor younger scouts, are what extremely important to the success of our young people as they grow into adults. I know the total impact of scouting to our state, to our nation and to the world has to be immense. Thank you all who are here for being scouts or supporters of scouting. You Eagle Scouts especially are our future, you are our leaders. Harold R. McAlindon, author of The Little Book of Big Ideas, said this about leadership: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” I like that quote, and I think it is emblematic of the scouting program, both as it has been for decades and as it is now. You are forgers of the trail and make the map so that others may stand with you on the mountain, across the river or even down the hall. Thank you scouts, thank you for making the trail now and for all that you will do in the name of public service in the years ahead.
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Call the Office of Lieutenant
Governor Owen: (360) 786-7700 |
