[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2403-S2404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I would like to take this opportunity 
to recognize the 90th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United 
States of America. In March, this vital organization celebrated an 
important milestone in its efforts to encourage girls and young women 
from communities across our nation to enjoy scouting activities that 
nurture their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. 
Congratulations to the 3.8 million members throughout the United 
States.
  I am pleased to tell you that more than 9,000 girls across the State 
of South Dakota actively participate in Girl Scouts. In particular, I 
want to commend the Girl Scouts of Nyoda Council for their outstanding 
accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service and 
personal development in our state. For over 35 years, this chapter has 
offered a spiritually motivated, values-based program that encourages 
every girl to reach her highest potential. The Girl Scouts of Nyoda 
Council adhere to the vision statement of the Girl Scout movement: ``to 
inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, 
patriotism, and service, that they may become happy and resourceful 
citizens.''
  On April 13, the Nyoda Council will hold their Girl Scout Gold Award 
ceremony in honor of those who have achieved the highest honor a Senior 
Girl Scout can attain. They deserve recognition for their outstanding 
work, perseverence, leadership, and community involvement. I applaud 
their ``can-do'' spirit, determination, and dedication to the 
betterment of their community.
  Congratulations to the Girl Scouts of Nyoda Council on this very 
special occasion. May they enjoy this celebration of their efforts, and 
keep up the great work.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I rise today to speak on behalf of the 
Girl Scouts. In honor of their 90th anniversary, I would like to 
congratulate this extraordinary group for their many years of 
excellence and service to this Nation. This organization has provided 
great opportunities for many girls and young women, helping them to 
develop to their full potential and to become good citizens and great 
leaders. The Girl Scout Law states that each girl will strive to 
possess honesty,

[[Page S2404]]

courage, responsibility, and respect both for themselves and others. 
These ideals demonstrate the high standards this organization sets in 
encouraging the development of young girls.
  Currently in New Mexico, approximately 8,000 girls and 3,000 women 
participate in Girl Scouts. Chapparal Council, one of the three New 
Mexican Girl Scout councils, covers counties in northwestern New Mexico 
and parts of Southwestern Colorado. The 6,000 members of that council 
contribute their time and effort to better their communities. These 
girls, along with countless other women who once pledged the Girl 
Scouts' promise have and will receive the many benefits from this 
organization.
  The Girl Scouts' new initiative ``For Every Girl, Everywhere'' 
highlights the diversity of this fine group, attempting to reach out to 
every girl in every community, regardless of race, ethnicity, or 
geographic boundaries. The Girl Scouts have given girls from every 
socioeconomic background an equal opportunity to become successful 
adults through the exploratory and intellectual activities in which 
they participate. This has especially played an important role in New 
Mexico.
  Throughout New Mexico, girls have been changing their lives in a 
positive way that will no doubt benefit them in their future endeavors. 
By focusing on health and fitness, appreciating diversity, and 
community service, the Girl Scouts have inspired girls with high ideas 
of character, conduct, and patriotism. Girls participate in many events 
throughout their community such as providing help to those in need and 
working to improve the environment. They organize donation drives for 
needy families, plan activities for senior citizens, hold flag 
ceremonies throughout the State, plant trees and clean up local parks.
  Although the Girl Scouts are primarily community based, the ideals of 
caring and helping others are also demonstrated on a national level. 
After the tragedy of September 11th, Girl Scouts from the Zia Council 
in New Mexico made dream catchers, a Native American work of art 
symbolizing peaceful sleep, and had them blessed and sent to New York 
in memory of the victims and their families as a way of reaching out to 
those in need of inspiration.
  Through this organization, girls learn to set high standards and 
develop qualities that will benefit them throughout their lives. They 
are able to learn self-confidence, responsibility, and leadership 
skills, and are encouraged to think creatively. Through the hard work 
of this organization over 50 million women have been touched by the 
positive impact of Girl Scouts. As the world's largest girls' 
organization with currently 2.7 million girl members and just under 1 
million adult members, I would like to once again commend past, current 
and future Girl Scouts for their valuable contributions and dedication 
over the last 90 years.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I rise today to show my 
support for the 90th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. Through the Girl 
Scouts, girls acquire self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, life 
skills and integrity. In each level of the Scouts, young girls learn 
skills that will assist them as they enter adulthood, including science 
and technology education, money management, sports training, engaging 
in community services, art education, and much more. The Girl Scouts 
encourage their members to engage in a wide variety of activities such 
as field trips, sports camps, and cultural exchanges. I am proud to 
note that members of my staff were Girl Scouts when they were younger.
  The mission of the Girl Scouts is to help all girls grow strong and 
prepare for adulthood by empowering them to develop their full 
potential, get along well with others, and to work together to 
contribute to their communities. Today, the organization boasts a 
membership of 3.8 million members, 2.7 million girls and over 900,000 
adults.
  I would like to take just a moment to commend the activities that the 
Girl Scouts are involved with in my State of New Hampshire. I would 
like to specifically thank the Girl Scouts of Swift Water Council for 
their numerous contributions toward the development of young women in 
our state. For a single organization to reach over 15,000 girls in New 
Hampshire alone is extraordinary. There are three programs that fall 
under the Swift Water Council that I want to commend. The Cool 
Connections program at Sanders Cottage in Manchester, and the Antrim 
Girls Shelter both help young girls in crisis by teaching them how to 
make positive decisions and boosting their self-esteem. The Swift Water 
Council also established an activity center for young refugee girls at 
the International Institute in Manchester. This Institute helps 
refugees from wartorn nations seek asylum in the United States. These 
activities provide young girls with socialization, group cooperation 
skills, and the tools they need to acclimate successfully into the 
community. I am grateful for the contributions that the Girl Scouts 
have made in my state.
  In closing, I want to commend the Girl Scouts for 90 years of 
positive influence on the lives of young girls all across this nation. 
I especially want to thank the Girl Scouts of New Hampshire and the 
adult volunteers who support them. Keep up the good work.

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