KATU News Anchor Paul Linnman to Speak at
Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet

([ Portland], [Or], [05/04/04])—KATU News Anchor Paul Linnman, will be the keynote speaker for the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America’s annual Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday May 25th at the Oregon Convention Center and all Eagle Scouts are encouraged to attend. Rod Hill, weatherman for KATU TV, will emcee the program for the evening and Todd Construction, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor. NW Natural, Davis Wright Tremaine, and Riverlake Partners are supporting sponsors. The Cascade Pacific Council will recognize more than 583 young men at the Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout this past year.

At the banquet, Eagle Scouts will have the opportunity to visit with community leaders about their career and hobby interests and receive recognition for their hard work and accomplishments. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges. Only 4% of all Scouts earn the rank of Eagle and one Eagle Scout will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

Parents, family members, Scout leaders and other guests may reserve tickets for $35 per person. Individual and table sponsorships are available. Contact Shelley Staudinger at 503-225-5748 for more information.

A Sample of Famous Eagle Scouts

Willie Banks Olympian, Former World Record Holder, Triple Jump and Long Jump

Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. Former Secretary of the Treasury and Former United States Senator, Texas

Bill Bradley Former United States Senator, New Jersey

Milton A. Caniff Cartoonist

William C. DeVries, M.D. Surgeon and Educator, Transplanted first artificial heart

Thomas Foley Former Speaker of the House and Former United States Congressman, Washington

The Honorable Gerald R. Ford 38th President of the United States

LeeGreenwood Singer/Song Writer of “God Bless the USA”

Michael Kahn Stage Director, Academy Award-Winning Film Editor

John Koncak Center , Orlando Magic, National Basketball Association

James A. Lovell Jr. Apollo 13 Astronaut and Business Executive

The Honorable Richard G. Lugar United States Senator, Indiana

J. Willard Marriott Jr. Chairman of the Board and President, Marriott Corporation

Sam Nunn Former United States Senator, Georgia

H. Ross Perot Founder, Electronic Data Systems Corporation and The Perot Group

Harris Salsbury Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

Gordon Smith United States Senator, Oregon

Steven Spielberg Film Director and Producer

Togo West Secretary of the Army

About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Cascade Pacific Council ranks among the nation’s largest Scout councils (out of 319) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 47,889 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,902 adult volunteer mentors.

Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments

This last year (2003) Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:

 Goodwill/Good Turn – Scouts collected 362,895 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries in 2004. Over the past ten years, 4.2 million pounds have been collected.  

Camping Program – The Cascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,000 boys at seven summer resident camps and ten day camps last year.  

Scouting for Food – Scouts collected 519,766 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive in December 2003.  

Guy Miller Tree Plant – Over 2,500 youth and family members planted nearly 37,500 tree seedlings in our forests and neighborhoods in support of the Guy Miller Tree Plant program. Since 1977, this program has accounted for the planting of more than 2 million trees.  

Violence Free Spring Break – In partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, the Police Activities League, Multnomah County, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations, the Cascade Pacific Council has planned, coordinated and staffed special events like “Violence Free Spring Break.” Over 375 youth were served for this event alone. These events use Scouting facilities and curriculums to deliver positive, values-based programs.

Outreach – Over $29,930 in scholarships was awarded to over 536 youth members for summer camp.

Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.