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Take the time to say 'thanks' |
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July 14, 2017 |
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By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
This week, I had the pleasure of addressing
several dozen Boy Scouts as part of the National
Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Academy. The
Academy is a training program hosted by the Boy
Scouts of America, in which Scouts and Venturers
from all over America learn how to become better
leaders, and more importantly, better people.
The Boy Scouts is an amazing organization that’s
always been close to my heart. That’s because
I’m an Eagle Scout and I learned so much from
the Boy Scouts at a time in my life when I had a
lot to learn.
President Ronald Reagan said that “by sponsoring
many useful physical, mental, and social
activities designed to promote
self-responsibility, the Scouts strengthen the
cornerstone of individual freedom in our nation.
These programs develop the youngster’s
confidence in his ability to deal with nature,
society, and a challenging world.”
I couldn't agree more.
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| Three
generations of Eagle Scouts |
When I was in the Boy Scouts, I learned
countless lessons that have helped me become
successful in life and continued to guide me
throughout my life as a husband, father, lawyer,
and even now as a member of Congress.
These lessons include the importance of working
together, treating people with respect, and
never quitting. Even lessons that might not seem
applicable to Congress – like leaving the
campsite better than you found it – actually
make a lot of sense, if you look at it from the
right perspective.
We owe it to each other – and in particular, to
the next generation – to be good stewards of
everything that’s been entrusted to us – whether
that’s a campsite, the street we live on, or our
entire democracy.
I joined the Boy Scouts at age 13 when I moved
with my mom from Puerto Rico to Las Vegas.
As the only child of a single mother, I was full
of ambition and enthusiasm, but my mother
recognized that I also needed discipline and
direction. Our scout leader, Bob Swift, became a
strong male influence in my life – teaching me
and the other boys about the importance of hard
work and making sure we always gave 100 percent
to whatever task we were doing.
In Boundary County, many might picture Alva
Baker where I see Bob.
Bob encouraged me to become an Eagle Scout, and
I devoted a lot of time toward achieving that
goal. One of the proudest days of my life was
when I finally attained the rank of Eagle, and I
would never have been able to do that without
Bob's support.
We, as individuals and as a country, can learn a
lot from the Boy Scout organization. I know I
did. That’s why I encouraged my sons to become
Scouts, and all of them joined the program. Two
of them earned their Eagle, while my youngest
son, Rafael, is currently working on his Eagle
Project.
If you have children or grandchildren between
the ages of 7-17, I encourage you to enroll them
in the Scouts. They will be exposed to great
experiences and great people.
You can also become an adult volunteer, like my
old scoutmaster, Bob Swift. Whether it’s the Boy
Scouts or some other outstanding organization,
please go out there and make a difference to the
people you know and the community you live in.
And take the time today to thank somebody who
made a difference in your life. |
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