[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA

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                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Girl Scouts of the USA 
as they celebrate their 90th Anniversary this year. Girl Scouting began 
on March 12, 1912, when founder Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls 
from Savannah, Georgia, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed 
that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, 
mentally, and spiritually. Ninety years later, few can argue that those 
goals have not been met. Girl Scouting boosts over 3.8 million members, 
making it the largest organization for girls in the World.
  I have long been in contact with Members of the Girl Scouts. I have 
been impressed by their poise as well as their plans for a sound 
future. The message of empowerment has been strongly resonated by the 
organization. For 90 years, the Girl Scouts organization has had a 
proven track record of empowering girls to become leaders, helping 
adults be positive role models and mentors for children, and helping to 
build solid communities. With the help and dedication of Congress, Girl 
Scouts is sure to continue this tradition for the next 90 years and 
beyond.
  With time comes change. I have been impressed with the Girl Scouts' 
goal of reaching out to all girls, regardless of their socioeconomic 
background. It is my understanding that Girl Scout troops now meet in 
homeless shelters, migrant farm camps, and juvenile detention 
facilities. And through one of Girl Scout's signature initiatives, Girl 
Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB)--girls meet in prisons where, in instances, 
their mothers may be incarcerated. It is these types of efforts that 
must continue to be praised.
  I represent a rural area in North Carolina where teen pregnancy and 
high school drop out rates are higher than many areas of the State and 
Nation. Young people in my Congressional District and elsewhere need a 
message of empowerment and organizations that will provide them with a 
solid direction in their lives. I am proud that the Girl Scouts of 
America has a strong presence in my district. The Girl Scout Council of 
Coastal Carolina, Inc. was chartered by the Girl Scouts of the USA to 
develop and administer Girl Scouting to girls and adults in 25 eastern 
North Carolina counties. The Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina 
currently serves 6,500 girls and 2,700 adults in Eastern North 
Carolina.
  Congratulations to the Girl Scouts for providing such a tremendous 
public service to our youth and to the country.




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