[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1591]]


             TRIBUTE TO RECIPIENTS OF GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute several 
outstanding young women who have been honored with the Girl Scout Gold 
Award by Green Meadows Girl Scout Council in Urbana, IL. They are Kathy 
Wakeley, Valerie Karr, Amy Watson, Erin Winter of Girl Scout Troop 220, 
Heather Jacobson, Teri Heater, Rebecca Rich, Rachel Rich of Girl Scout 
Troop 203, Christine Owens, Alison Smith of Troop 74, and Rose Johnson, 
an individually registered Girl Scout. These young women were honored 
at the Green Meadows Girl Scout Council's 29th Annual Older Girl 
Recognition Banquet, held on May 13, 1996, for earning the highest 
achievement award in U.S. Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Gold Award 
symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community 
service, career planning, and personal development. The award can be 
earned by girls aged 14 to 17, or in grades 9 to 12.
  Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization serving over 2.5 million 
girls, has awarded more than 20,000 Girl Scout Gold Awards to Senior 
Girl Scouts since the inception of the program in 1980. To receive the 
award, a Girl Scout must earn four interest project patches, the Career 
Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and the Senior 
Girl Scout Challenge. She must also design and implement a Girl Scout 
Gold Award project. A plan for fulfilling these requirements is created 
by the Senior Girl Scout and carried out through close cooperation 
between the girl and an adult Girl Scout volunteer.
  Kathy Wakeley's project was titled ``Welcome Bags for a Woman's 
Place.'' She collected travel-size personal items from dentists, 
hotels, and stores to place in bags for women and children who were 
forced to leave their home in a hurry. They receive the bags to help 
them gain a sense of ownership.
  Valerie Karr's project was titled ``Bear Hugs for Kids.'' She 
purchased 60 teddy bears with donations she received from local 
business and civic groups. The bears were given to the Mahomet and 
Seymour Fire Department to give to children for comfort during crisis 
situations, fires, and accidents.
  Amy Watson's project was titled ``Audio Books for a Grade School.'' 
She consulted the principal and librarian for ideas on books to record 
on cassette tapes. The tapes will provide additional resources for 
teachers to use in the classroom.
  Erin Winter's project was titled ``Books on Tape.'' She organized 24 
volunteers from the drama club to read 17 books on tape for the special 
education department including 2 full-length text-books.
  Heather Jacobson's project was titled ``Quilts for the Homeless.'' 
She sewed 10 fullsize quilts for the homeless. They also received bags 
containing personal toiletries.
  Teri Heater's project was titled ``Lap Quilts for Low-Income Nursing 
Home.'' She made 25 lap quilts for the elderly nursing home residents.
  Rebecca Rich's project was titled ``Understanding Differences; 
Matters of Faith Forum.'' She brought together a group of people of 
different faiths for achieving tolerance in a nonjudgmental forum. They 
had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about each others 
religion.
  Rachel Rich's project was titled ``Wildlife-4 Kids.'' She introduced 
wildlife through books and live animals. Children of all ages learned 
about a variety of animals and received an educational experience.
  Christine Owens' project was titled ``Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout 
Water Safety and Survival Class.'' She used her life guarding skills to 
organize and conduct this workshop for younger Girl Scouts in the 
Danville area. Originally planned for 25 girls, the workshop was 
attended by 35 girls and 8 adults. Christine taught girls how to keep 
themselves and others safe in an aquatic environment.
  Alison Smith's project was titled ``Book Drive for the YMCA Women's 
Shelter.'' She collected over 350 books from middle and high schools to 
donate to the shelter for use by children who have been forced out of 
their homes due to unfortunate circumstances.
  Rose Johnson's project was titled ``Upgrade of Park Equipment in 
Sheldon.'' She organized an aluminum can recycling project with 
proceeds donated to the Sheldon Park and Sign fund. This is a 
continuing project and members of the community were asked to save cans 
to help raise money for additional park playground equipment.
  I believe that all of these young women should receive public 
recognition for the significant service to their community.

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