[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I wish to express my sincere 
congratulations to the Girl Scouts of the USA as it celebrates its 90th 
anniversary. Founded on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, GA, the 
organization has grown to 3.7 million girls and women in the United 
States and a total of 8.5 million people in 140 countries.
  The longevity and strength of Girl Scouts is a testament to the 
commitment of its members and volunteers to uphold the highest 
standards of leadership, social conscience, and civic duty. I thank the 
thousands of adult volunteers who devote their time and resources to 
this worthy cause.
  I also wish to extend my commendation to Ms. Gladys A. Brandt, a 
Hawaii resident who is being honored as one of the first-ever National 
Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the USA. This award was 
created in conjunction with the Girl Scouts' 90th anniversary 
celebration, and it pays tribute to women who have demonstrated 
outstanding service to girl scouting. Hawaii is truly proud of Ms. 
Brandt and grateful for her diligence in educating and serving young 
people.
  Once again, I express my best wishes to Girl Scouts of the USA for 
continued success, and I encourage the members of this organization to 
always live up to the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law in every 
facet of their lives.
  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the Girl 
Scouts of the USA, this month celebrating 90 years of building 
character and enhancing the life skills of our Nation's young women. 
The contributions and achievements of this outstanding organization 
have endured for nine decades, helping girls to grow up courageous and 
strong. I would like to praise the work of the Girl Scouts, and in 
particular recognize the Girl Scouts of Alabama, who number almost 
45,000 girls and women.
  Established on March 12, 1912, the Girl Scouts are based on the noble 
belief that all young women should be given the opportunity to develop 
physically, mentally and spiritually. Their founder, Juliette Gordon 
Low, convened that first meeting with just 18 girls from Savannah, GA. 
Today her vision continues with a national membership of 3.8 million, 
making the Girl Scouts the largest organization for girls in the world. 
Over the years the Girl Scouts have remained true to their founding 
principles, and still abide by the Girl Scout Promise and Law, just as 
they did in 1912. These principles emphasize honor, accountability, 
courage, respect, God and country and are valuable lessons for our 
young women to incorporate into their lives.
  Girl Scouting has had a tremendous impact on the evolving role that 
women have played in our country over the past ninety years. The 
leadership qualities, self confidence and creative thinking that the 
Girl Scouts teach are all qualities essential in good citizens and 
great leaders. Indeed, two-thirds of female doctors, lawyers, 
educators, community leaders and even women members of Congress were 
once Girl Scouts. It is a true testament to the Girl Scouts that many 
of these women believe that Girl Scouting has had a positive impact on 
their lives.
  The Alabama Girl Scouts are celebrating their 90th anniversary by 
helping to promote literacy with their ``Books for Alabama Kids'' 
project. The seven Girl Scout councils in Alabama have been collecting 
children's books over the past 6 months to be donated to schools in the 
counties in which they were collected. Tomorrow the books will be 
presented on the Capitol steps in Montgomery. I would like to commend 
the Alabama Girl Scouts for their community service and dedication to 
promoting literacy in the state.
  I would like to acknowledge the nine decades of excellence of the 
Girl Scouts. We have seen tremendous changes in our country over the 
years, and they should be proud to have adapted and flourished. It 
demonstrates that building character and preparing for the future are 
qualities that never go out of style.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that 
I rise today to recognize the Girl Scouts for their service to our 
country over the last 90 years. This anniversary marks the day Juliette 
Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, GA, for the Girl Scouts' 
first meeting, and celebrates the many wonderful moments this 
organization has enjoyed while growing to its current size of 3.8 
million members.
  Their mission to help all girls grow strong provides not just 
inspiration and guidance to those within their ranks, but serves as an 
example for all the nation's young women. Through service to society 
and the development of values, self-confidence and integrity, the Girl 
Scouts of the USA are an inspiration to our Nation's youth, and are 
instrumental in creating the next generation of good citizens and great 
leaders.
  I am proud that Congress last week honored the Girl Scouts 
accomplishments with the passage of a resolution marking March 10 
through March 16, 2002 as ``National Girl Scout Week,'' and I look 
forward to future opportunities to celebrate this organization's 
commitment and contribution to our Nation's young women.

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