By FRANK SOJAK
More than 375 people on Thursday night helped the Penn’s Woods Council of the Boy Scouts of America applaud a Johnstown-area man for his service to the community and to honor Scouting.
The annual Harry E. Mangle Memorial Dinner was held at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.
Edward J. Sheehan Jr., president and chief executive officer of Concurrent Technologies Corp. in Richland Township, was honored by the Scouts as the Distinguished Citizen for 2009.
Sheehan volunteers on the boards of a number of Pennsylvania-based economic development and charitable organizations.
The keynote speaker for the event was Chris Matthews, a television news commentator, former speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and a former Boy Scout.
Matthews donated his services to speak because of his strong belief in the Boy Scouts.
Kyle Molchany of Johnstown, a member of Troop 183, based at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in downtown Johnstown, said before the dniner that he came for the food and to see Matthews.
“I like him,” Molchany said about Matthews. “He’s a good public speaker, and it should be enjoyable.”
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, who invited Matthews, said he has known the news commentator for many years.
“I knew him long before he was famous, when he used to work for a living,” Murtha said in jest.
Sheehan told that crowd that, regarding his service in the community, he has received much more than he has given.
“I am a better person for my community service,” he said, calling Johnstown a special place.
Matthews told the crowd that the Boys Scouts are doing the right thing.
He showed the crowd awards that he earned as a Scout.
Matthews, whose grandfather grew up in Latrobe, said Scouting teaches young men that “there are other things to growing up besides school and organized athletic events.”
He said that Murtha “has real friends on both sides of the aisle – real friends.”
In a Boy Scouts’ press conference at Pasquerilla Plaza prior to the banquet, Matthews said the Boy Scouts sparked his interest in politics.
Matthews, who had been an aide to the late speaker of the house, Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, said the Scouts, by instilling the importance of good citizenship in boys, showed him the way into politics.
Robin Quillon, publisher of The Tribune-Democrat and chairman of the committee that raises money for the Penn’s Woods Council, thanked the Boy Scouts for the values it teaches boys.
He said the goal was to raise $125,000 for the council.
Despite an ailing economy, $150,000 was raised.
“We’re delighted with the support from people in the Greater Johnstown area,” he said.
Quillon, whose son, Ty, is an Eagle Scout, said Penn’s Woods staff and volunteers did a great job of presenting the Boy Scout program to residents and businesses.
After learning how the Boy Scouts produces leaders, people and business wanted to invest in the program, he said.
Penn’s Woods Council President Thomas Lusk said the council works daily to help Scouts realize their dreams.
He said that Sheehan is a role model for Scouts through the many hours of time donated to the community.
Sheehan said it is a great honor and reward to be involved in the community.
He said Scouting provides boys with an opportunity to be involved in a productive activity.
“It also teaches young people how important it is to volunteer to provide services and to care for others,” he said.
Scouts have a chance to build leadership skills that they can use later to drive our communities, he said.
Matthews said he accepted Murtha’s invitation because of the Boy Scouts.
“I believe in service, and I’m glad to hear about how many good deeds Scouts are doing here,” he said.
Matthews spoke about his position as an aide to O’Neill, saying he made friends with Murtha during that time. He said many congressmen sought Murtha’s advice.
Murtha has been good for the state of Pennsylvania and for the Johnstown area, he said.
Matthews was asked about how President Barack Obama is doing so far.
“He has yet to be tested, but I think the country is open to him. They know he is the one opportunity for success in the next couple of years,” Matthews said.
