[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE U.S.A. ON ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, this month the Girl Scouts of the 
U.S.A. (GSUSA) is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Additionally, the 
Girl Scout Council of Kenosha County is celebrating its 80th 
anniversary. I would like to recognize the accomplishments of the Girl 
Scouts in Wisconsin's First Congressional District: the Girl Scout 
council of Kenosha County, the Girl Scouts of Badger Council, and the 
Girl Scouts of Racine County.
  Juliette Gordon Low believed girls needed a supportive community for 
girls and young women to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. 
On March 12, 1912, Ms. Low assembled twelve girls in Savanna, Georgia, 
for the first Girl Scout meeting. The idea spread quickly. In 1918, six 
years after that inaugural meeting, Kenosha County organized its first 
meetings and joined the Girl Scout movement. Four years later, in 1922, 
the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. awarded the Girl Scout Council of Kenosha 
County its official charter.
  The Girl Scout Law, on which the Girl Scout mission rests, encourages 
all girls to uphold values such as honesty, fairness, and 
responsibility, while developing respect and compassion for the world 
around them. Girl Scouts continue to build on this foundation by 
adopting the practice of these values to the contemporary issues facing 
girls today.
  In contrast to those first twelve Scouts 90 years ago, Girl Scouts 
today is comprised of over 2.7 million girls and 900,000 adult 
volunteers in the U.S. Globally, that number tops 10 million members in 
over 140 countries. Currently, the Girl Scout Council of Kenosha County 
proudly maintains an active membership of 3200 Scouts. To put that in 
perspective, one in nine girls are involved in Girl Scouting 
nationwide, while in Kenosha County, one in every five girls is a Girl 
Scout.
  Girl Scouts depends on its volunteers and its community. As with all 
Girl Scout Councils, the secret behind the success of Scouting is the 
hard work of the adult volunteers. This well-qualified team of 
volunteers works with the Council to organize and encourage the Scouts. 
Additionally, the support of the community is integral to the Girl 
Scouts. Troop meetings take place in local schools, churches, and other 
community centers, and outreach activities require the cooperation of 
community businesses and organizations. The strength of these 
relationships is visible in Southeastern Wisconsin. The adult members, 
businesses, and organizations work together to open doors for young 
women to learn and expand their horizons.
  For 90 years, Girl Scouts has empowered girls with the values and 
skills it takes to become the next generation of leaders. The Girl 
Scout Council of Kenosha County, the Girl Scouts of Badger Council, and 
the Girl Scouts of Racine County, like Councils all over the world, are 
helping girls to grow strong and build the necessary foundation to be 
successful in all they do. It is with admiration that I congratulate 
the Girl Scouts and all who support them on the first 90 years of 
remarkable service, and with enthusiasm that I wish them all the best 
on the next 90 years.

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