[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4206-S4207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMENDING GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I want to draw special attention today to 
five young women from northern Kentucky. These five young women from 
the Licking Valley Girl Scout Council are recipients of the Girl Scout 
Gold Award--the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. Each one has 
demonstrated outstanding achievements in the area of leadership, 
community service, career planning, and personal development.
  Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. serves over 3.5 million girls and has 
awarded more than 20,000 Girl Scout Gold Awards to Senior Girl Scouts 
since the inception of the program in 1980. Recipients of the award 
have not only earned patches for the Senior Girl Scout Leadership 
Award, the Senior Girl Scout Challenge, and the Career Exploration Pin, 
but also designed and implemented a Girl Scout Gold Award project.
  But perhaps most important, these five Gold Award recipients have 
made a commitment to community that should not go unrecognized.
  Kelly Buten, Mary Jane Hendrickson, Alyssa Hensley, Mandy Radle, and 
Becky Thomas have put an extraordinary amount of work into earning

[[Page S4207]]

these awards, and in the process have received the community's and the 
Commonwealth's respect and admiration for their dedication and 
commitment. Their projects included teaching beginning violin classes 
to local elementary school children, organizing a fundraising breakfast 
for local elementary schools and holding a children's Christmas party.
  For 85 years, the Girl Scouts have provided an informal educational 
program to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, 
patriotism, and service so they will become resourceful, responsible 
citizens. The Licking Valley Girl Scouts alone serve over 5,000 girl 
and adult members.
  Mr. President, I know my colleagues share my enthusiasm and 
admiration for the Girl Scouts' commitment to excellence. And, I know 
you will agree with my belief that this award is just the beginning of 
a long list of accomplishments and successes from these five Girl 
Scouts.

                          ____________________