[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA ON ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to, somewhat belatedly, 
congratulate the Girl Scouts of the USA on reaching its 90th 
anniversary as an organization.
  The organization had its origins in 1912 with an 18-girl group in 
Savannah, Georgia. From those rather humble origins it has grown to its 
current strength of 3.8 million members, in cluding 900,000 adult 
members. The Girl Scouts also boast 50 million alumnae. This is the 
largest organization for girls in the world.
  Since the organization's inception, the Girl Scout experience has 
helped girls acquire self-confidence and expertise, learn to think 
creatively and develop habits of honor and integrity that are essential 
in good citizens and great leaders. Many of our educators, doctors, 
lawyers, elected officials and other community leaders were once Girl 
Scouts.
  The benefits of Girl Scouting are delivered by a dedicated group of 
people--adult volunteers. Ninety-nine percent of all the adults 
involved in Girl Scouting are volunteers who give their time to advance 
the noble goals and purposes of Scouting, teaching their charges about 
community service, science, money management, health, fitness, and 
other useful skills and talents. In a time when we are trying to 
encourage more community involvement, we need to take the time to 
recognize an organization that has been leading the way for decades.
  Again, I am pleased to congratulate this group, which has been such 
an integral part of the American social fabric, as it reaches an 
important milestone.

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