 Come and forgive me for interrupting our lunch I'm delighted to be able to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America I'm delighted to celebrate anything that's older than I am But But 75 years of unparalleled service to the youth and the families and the communities of our nation As you might imagine in my job, there's some things I must do and some I want to do and A few special things that I just can't wait to do and this celebration is one of those special moments On inauguration day. I I spoke of the American sound those symbols of our democracy and echoes of our past That give us purpose and guide us forward and I said that sound our Heritage our song is hopeful big-hearted idealistic daring decent and fair You know come to think of it. I could have added trustworthy loyal helpful friendly courteous kind and the rest of the scout law Because the Boy Scouts of America and the values that you hold close Are an important part of the American sound and have been for 75 proud years And it was in the early days of scouting that the Life of a young New Yorker was changed forever Manhattan's Lower East Side was a very tough neighborhood And far too many young men were drawn into the turmoil and violence there and never recovered But this particular youngster from the Lower East Side found the Boy Scouts He was challenged to learn positive values leadership camping fitness Aaron took up the challenge and gained in moral strength confidence and ambition He became a successful attorney and his son became the second Eagle Scout in the family But Aaron never forgot his roots and in 1943 left the practice of law to give more of his time to Boy Scout fundraising and his son Well during our first term Ken Duberstein served here in the White House as my assistant for legislative affairs So I'm very pleased that they're both here today You know America sure turns out winners and much of the credit belongs to organizations like the Boy Scouts And so it's not surprising that yesterday's scouts have helped to shape our today in Business government the media science medicine education show business and whether list goes on and on Former scouts have walked on the moon become president and won the Heisman Trophy Today they serve as cabinet secretaries as my press secretary and in the Congress In fact about two-thirds of the members of the Congress have been in the Boy Scouts to You know, I can't help but think two-thirds of them Boy Scouts How nice it How nice it would have been if the Boy Scouts had a merit badge for a balanced budget Amen You can be certain that today's scouts will help shape America And when they do I'll bet there'll be scouts like the ones who are with us today Like Randy Reid of nearby Vienna, Virginia Two days ago Randy received the Boy Scouts highest and rarest award the honor medal for life-saving with crossed palms for extraordinary heroism and He's not alone. I've just been sitting beside a young man here Freddie Hill who also is wearing that medal very proudly but Randy Also at the extreme risk of his own life rescued a young man who had slipped Who had struck his head and fell unconscious wedged between rocks in 14 feet of murky water With great bravery and skill Randy did everything his scout training would tell him to do and more And Randy congratulations and God bless you Let me ask Freddie How many others in here are wearing that medal also of scouts? Are you give them a look at you, too? Well, you know, it's easy to understand why the Boy Scout badge the American Eagle Superimposed on the north sign of the Mariners compass means Follow me. I know the way The Boy Scouts of America do know the way The way to set high standards and how to live by them and the way to build character train in Citizenship and foster fitness of mind and mighty and here's one last thought Without the thousands of adult leaders corporate sponsors and other caring Americans It would not be possible for young Americans to capture the scouting spirit and the special joys of camping fellowship service and love of country so thank all of you for what you're doing for our young people and For America's future We're in good hands So God bless you all and God bless the Boy Scouts of America Mr.. President, it's a real honor for us In scouting to be here to give the annual report to the the nation Especially on this day this very day the 75th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America Now we've got just a few little Awards to give out today, but before we do I'd like to note that the some of you may not know President Reagan is the honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America And I happen to know that Mrs. Reagan Likes supports and is very enthusiastic about scouting So with the honor and authority invested in me as the national president of Boy Scouts. I hereby complain Proclaim that Mrs. Reagan is now an honorary vice president of the Boy Scouts of America Mr.. President the Boy Scouts don't often give out the distinguished scout citizen of the year award But on this case and this occasion we take great honor in presenting to you This award because of your tremendous support of God country and the Boy Scouts of America And now to perform the rest of the the ceremony I'm going to turn it over to the young people The following will please come forward Cup Scout national representative Nathan Hadfield who is from Pleasant Grove, Utah Bob Scout representative Thad Bibb who's from Broken Era, Oklahoma and Explorer President Brian Sims from Logoti, Indiana It's all yours Mr.. President I'm pleased to present with your registration card for the coming year We are glad that you are continuing to serve as the Boy Scouts of America's honorary national president. Thank you very much Thank you Also, mr.. President and part of our report. I'd like to tell you that for the fifth straight year scouting membership has increased and we're starting something new it's called scouting for tomorrow and It's prepared scouting for whatever tomorrow brings whether it be in this century or the next and Also, we have Added emphasis on the Scott earthen law the Cub Scott promise the varsity scouting pledge and the Explorer codes So right now we'd like to present to you the National presentation to the nation in fact sir. There are many people representing this report There have been seven of us all week who represented this and I'd like for them to stand up Helping me present this. They'll just stand up Alex Holsinger Kim Stefani, please stand up Our young gentleman in the corner Steven Memnall and Freddie Hill also, please stand up all sevens are Proud to present to you this award Who blows the candles out on that That's your birthday. I Think we all together My honorary capacity I can join in We will have dessert