[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMENDING THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
commend the Girl Scouts on their 90th anniversary, which was celebrated 
last week with the passage of a resolution designating the week of 
March 10 through March 16, 2002, as ``National Girl Scout Week.'' In 
less than a century, the Girl Scouts have gone from a group of 18 girls 
in Savannah, GA, to a worldwide organization with a current membership 
of over 3 million. In Illinois alone, there are 19 chapters across the 
state working to keep alive Juliette Gordon Low's mission of inspiring 
girls to reach their highest potential.
  Today, the Girl Scouts are helping girls develop the skills and 
interests they need to be happy and productive citizens in the 21st 
Century. Through their many programs for girls aged 5 to 17, the Girl 
Scouts encourage community service, a clean environment, a healthy and 
active lifestyle, and an interest in world affairs.
  I would also like to recognize the work of over 900,000 volunteers 
who generously give their time and efforts to make the Girl Scouts a 
celebrated success.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Girl 
Scouts and the millions of girls who have put so much hard work into 
their scouting.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I would like to pay tribute to an 
organization that, over the last 90 years, has helped millions of girls 
build the character and skills needed for success as adults.
  The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is celebrating its 90th anniversary 
this month. From its modest founding by Juliette Gordon Low, who 
brought 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, together in March 1912 to 
focus on physical, mental and spiritual development, Girl Scouts has 
grown to a membership of 3.8 million. That makes it the largest 
organization for girls in the world.
  Through Girl Scouting, girls acquire self-confidence, learn 
responsibility, and develop the ability to think creatively and to act 
with integrity. It offers girls opportunities to learn about science 
and technology, money management and finance, sports, health and 
fitness, the arts, global awareness, community service, and much, much 
more.
  On top of that, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has established a research 
institute, which addresses violence prevention and seeks to bridge the 
digital divide by offering activities to encourage girls to pursue 
careers in math, science, and technology.
  Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has a long and distinguished history of 
helping girls develop into healthy, resourceful women with a strong 
sense of citizenship. More than 50 million women are Girl Scout 
alumnae. Over two-thirds of our female doctors, lawyers, educators, and 
community leaders were once Girl Scouts. With a track record like that, 
there is no doubt that Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. will be serving 
American girls for many years to come. I look forward to standing here 
again in 2012 to salute the Girl Scouts on their centennial.

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