[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        USA GOLD AWARD FOR MARIA WITTE OF GIRL SCOUT TROOP 4043

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                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute an outstanding 
young woman who has been honored with the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold 
Award by Girl Scouts of the Mississippi Valley, Inc. in Rock Island, 
Illinois. She is Maria Witte of Girl Scout Troop 4043.
  She is being honored for earning the highest achievement award in 
Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Gold Award symbolizes outstanding 
accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career 
planning, and personal development. The Girl Scout Gold Award can be 
earned by girls ages 14-17 or in grades 9-12.
  Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization serving over 2.6 million 
girls, has awarded more than 20,000 Girl Scout Gold Awards to Senior 
Girl Scouts since the inception of the program in 1980. To receive the 
award, a Girl Scout must fulfill five requirements: earn four interest 
project patches, earn the Career Exploration Pin, earn the Senior Girl 
Scout Leadership Award, earn the Senior Girl Scout Challenge, and 
design and implement a Girl Scout Gold project. A plan for fulfilling 
the requirements of the award is created by the Senior Girl Scout and 
is carried out through close cooperation between the girl and an adult 
Girl Scout volunteer.
  As a member of the Girl Scouts of the Mississippi Valley, Inc., Maria 
began working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in June 1999. Maria 
worked with her partner on painting a wall mural for a local gymnastics 
facility.
  The earning of the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment 
for Maria and I believe she should receive the public recognition due 
her for this significant service to her community and her country.

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