[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 32 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA

 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay special tribute 
to an outstanding group of public servants--the Girl Scouts of the 
USA--who today celebrate the 92nd birthday of their organization.
  Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, GA, Girl Scouts 
is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls--all 
girls--where they can build character and skills for success in the 
real world. Partnered with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts 
cultivate their full individual potential through learning and 
experience. The qualities they develop in Girl Scouting--leadership, 
values, social conscience, and conviction about their own self-worth--
serve and benefit them all their lives.
  Nationwide today there are more than 3.7 million Girl Scouts--2.8 
million girl members and 942,000 adult members. Through its membership 
in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts of 
the USA is part of a worldwide family of 8.5 million girls and adults 
in 140 countries.
  Today's Girl Scouts receive interactive training and experience in 
such areas as: leadership; math; science and technology; diversity; 
financial literacy; health, fitness and sports; environmental 
education; the arts; global awareness; and safety. Our children's 
safety is a matter of great concern to me. You may remember a wave of 
child abductions not too long ago, including the kidnapping of 
Elizabeth Smart in my own home State of Utah, which highlighted the 
need to enhance our ability to protect our Nation's children. Last 
year, I introduced the PROTECT Act of 2003, an Act to prevent child 
abduction and the sexual exploitation of children, which was signed 
into law by President Bush in April. This legislation included the 
AMBER Alert system program, which has proven to be a valuable tool in 
the rescue of abducted children. AMBER Alert systems are critical to 
successful search and recovery efforts because they enable law 
enforcement authorities to galvanize entire communities to assist in 
the safe recovery of child victims.
  Elizabeth's disappearance raised awareness of this type of crime 
nationwide. Our entire Nation rejoiced with the Smart family after 
Elizabeth was found alive and reunited with her loved ones. Her 
discovery, facilitated by everyday citizens who had followed this case, 
demonstrates the importance of getting information about these 
disappearances out to the public quickly, and what accomplishments can 
be achieved when communities partner together.
  Today, Girl Scouts of Utah will be celebrating the miracle of 
Elizabeth Smart's return to her family, and the Girl Scouts of the 
USA's 92nd birthday, by organizing a statewide safety awareness 
campaign--Partners In safety. Ed and Lois Smart, Elizabeth's parents, 
are the honorary chairs of this campaign. Although today kicks off an 
ongoing focus on safety rather than just a one-day event, Utah 
communities are invited to open house events on that date. Currently 
there are more than 25 open house locations in the state of Utah; and a 
variety of organizations state-wide have enlisted to participate as 
community sponsors in company with law enforcement and local 
governments. There will be a variety of safety-related activities at 
each site, and each participating agency will have a pledge poster so 
everyone in the community can sign and pledge safety on behalf of those 
they love.

  We all care about the safety of our youth. The goal of Partners In 
Safety is to bring us all together to deliver the message of safety. I 
encourage everyone dedicated to safety to pledge to make a difference 
in your community by reaching the youth you know--talk to your 
children, grandchildren, students, teammates, troops, packs and church 
groups.
  Begun by Ogden volunteers, Girl Scouts of Utah has been in existence 
since 1920 and has been committed to principles of pluralism, respect, 
and community service since inception. Utah Girl Scouts have delivered 
hand-made quilts to hospitals around Utah, decorated Christmas trees 
for the Festival of Trees, organized and attended hundreds of community 
service projects, increased their knowledge of finance during the Girl 
Scout cookie sale, learned about themselves and others, gained more 
respect for diversity, and participated in initiatives in science, 
sports, leadership, environmental education, and outdoor exploration. 
Recently, Girl Scouts of Utah was named a proud recipient of the 2004 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award from the Utah Human Rights 
Commission in recognition of their steadfast devotion to diversity. 
Utah Girl Scouts have gotten a jump start on their way to becoming 
happy, committed, and resourceful citizens.
  Throughout its long history, Girl Scouts experienced many milestones 
made possible by the strength and dedication of countless farsighted 
individuals--mostly volunteers--who tirelessly served girls and 
promoted Girl Scouting. We simply have no greater resource than our 
children; they represent our Nation's future. I commend the Girl Scouts 
of the USA for their tireless efforts on behalf of our children and 
families.

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