[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E347]]



                              GIRL SCOUTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2002

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 90 years of Girl 
Scouting.
  I am pleased that many of my colleagues have also chosen to celebrate 
and espouse the accomplishments of this time-honored organization.
  Once a Girl Scout myself, I proudly support the cultural, political, 
social, and economic advancements of the millions of girls across the 
nation.
  Girl Scouts of the USA instills young women and girls with a balanced 
set of values and varied skills, beneficial to the development of every 
girl who is often vulnerable during these early stages of growth.
  Girl Scouting empowers girls to rise to their full potential and 
relate positively to others.
  In addition, the organization creates a foundation for sound 
decision-making so that these girls may confront society head on and 
contribute to it.
  Not only is Girl Scouting a positive experience for its members, but 
the organization's advocacy on the national level in building solid 
communities enabled the Girl Scouts to create a research institute.
  With the help of government funding the Girl Scouts have addressed 
such issues as violence prevention and the digital divide with 
activities that encourage girls to pursue careers in science, math, and 
technology.
  In my district, the Girl Scouts of Tres Condados number 15,000 
members strong.
  I am proud to report that two of these young girls were recently 
awarded Lifesaving Medals of Honor.
  The last time these Girl Scouts medals were awarded was 16 years ago.
  Nine-year old Lindsey Papa received the award after saving her 
brother in a boating accident. While others were trying to free the boy 
from the boat propeller, Lindsey hit the switch that shut off the 
engine, saving her brother's life.
  And amazingly, seven-year old Courtney Harmon received the award when 
she performed the heimlich maneuver on her classmate saving the 
classmate's life.
  We can undeniably give some credit to the Girl Scouts for training 
Courtney in First Aid and CPR. Courtney exemplifies how invaluable a 
First Aid and CPR education can be for children and in schools.
  And we can also attribute Lindsey's ability to make sensible 
decisions under pressure to her Girl Scout experiences.
  The remarkable acts of these two young girls are a testament to the 
objectives of the Girl Scouts.
  There are more than 233,000 troops and groups throughout the United 
States and Puerto Rico. And over 300 local Girl Scout councils offer 
the opportunity for Girl Scout membership.
  I have always encouraged students--males, and young females 
especially--to get involved in issues that are of importance to them in 
their communities.
  No other organization provides all girls everywhere with the tools 
and resources entirely favorable to their upbringing.
  Girl Scouts is an outlet accessible to all girls, with links to an 
endless array of possibilities, expression and creativity.
  I know the Girl Scouts of the USA will well outlive this 90-year 
anniversary and continue to be a positive and significant societal 
influence for centuries to come.

                          ____________________