[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT WEEK

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate Resolution 
48 and the Senate proceed to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 48) designating the week beginning 
     March 7, 1999, as ``National Girl Scout Week.''

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am very proud to introduce this 
Resolution with my colleague Senator Hutchison, who, like me, is a 
former Girl Scout. This Resolution designates next week as National 
Girl Scout Week. I am so happy that we are able to recognize the 
important achievements of the Girls Scouts with such broad bipartisan 
support. Scouting instills the values that really matter--duty, honor, 
patriotism and service. I am so proud to honor the Girl Scouts for all 
they do to prepare our young women to be leaders for the future.
  As a Girl Scout, you participate in a broad range of activities--from 
taking nature hikes to taking part in the arts. You serve in local food 
banks and learn about politics. The skills, values and attitudes you 
learn as a Girl Scout can help guide you through your life. As your 
skills grow, so will your self confidence. Eventually you will earn 
your badges which will serve as symbols that you are succeeding and 
doing something constructive for your community. You learn the 
importance of treating other people fairly and with the dignity they 
deserve. You have the confidence to know that you can reach your goals. 
You can learn to be a leader.
  In today's hectic world, Scouts are more important than ever. Young 
boys and girls desperately need before and after school activities to 
keep their active minds' focused. They need adult role models like 
their Girl Scout leaders, who are dedicated to inspiring young people.
  As the Senator from Maryland, one of my highest priorities is to 
promote structured, community-based after school activities to give 
children more help and more ways to learn. After school activities also 
keeps children stay out of trouble and keeps them productive. That's 
just what the Girl Scouts do. They promote character & responsibility. 
They teach the arts and cultural activities. They give kids the tools 
for success.
  I applaud the Girl Scouts. I also thank them for what they did for me 
and what they do for millions of young women across the country. I hope 
the Resolution that Senator Hutchison and I have introduced here today 
calls more attention to the good work of the Girl Scouts. I hope it 
shows that there are solid after school activities that children can 
actively participate in while learning real life skills. Mr. President, 
I congratulate the Girl Scouts as they celebrate their 87th 
anniversary. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
important Resolution.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution appear in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 48) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 48), with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 48

       Whereas March 12, 1999, is the 87th anniversary of the 
     founding of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America;
       Whereas on March 16, 1950, the Girl Scouts became the first 
     national organization for girls to be granted a Federal 
     charter by Congress;
       Whereas through annual reports required to be submitted to 
     Congress by its charter, the Girl Scouts regularly informs 
     Congress of its progress and program initiatives;
       Whereas the Girl Scouts is dedicated to inspiring girls and 
     young women with the highest ideals of character, conduct, 
     and service to others so that they may become model citizens 
     in their communities;
       Whereas the Girl Scouts offers girls aged 5 through 17 a 
     variety of opportunities to develop strong values and life 
     skills and provides a wide range of activities to meet girls' 
     interests and needs;
       Whereas the Girl Scouts has a membership of nearly 
     3,000,000 girls and over 850,000 adult volunteers, and is one 
     of the preeminent organizations in the United States 
     committed to girls growing strong in mind, body, and spirit; 
     and
       Whereas by fostering in girls and young women the qualities 
     on which the strength of the United States depends, the Girl 
     Scouts, for 87 years, has significantly contributed to the 
     advancement of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning March 7, 1999, as 
     ``National Girl Scout Week''; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation 
     designating the week beginning March 7, 1999, as ``National 
     Girl Scout Week'' and calling on the people of the United 
     States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

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