[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 42 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2412-H2414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THEIR 95TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 136) commending the Girl Scouts of the
United States of America on the occasion of their 95th anniversary, for
providing quality age-appropriate experiences that prepare girls to
become the leaders of tomorrow and for raising issues important to
girls.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 136
Whereas the Girl Scouts of the United States of America
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Girl Scouts'') is an
organization that is committed to helping girls of today
become leaders of tomorrow and that delivers quality
experiences for girls locally, nationally, and
internationally (through USA Girl Scouts Overseas);
Whereas the Girl Scouts are celebrating their 95th
anniversary on March 12, 2007;
Whereas the Girl Scout program is girl-driven, reflecting
the ever-changing needs and interests of participating girls,
and provides girls with a wide variety of opportunities
through its new mission statement, ``Girl Scouting builds
girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the
world a better place.'';
Whereas the Girl Scouts encourage increased skill-building
and responsibility, and also promotes the development of
strong leadership and decision-making skills, through program
activities that are age-appropriate and based on the ``Girl
Scout Promise and Law'';
Whereas at all levels of the Girl Scouts, girls participate
in activities that build self-confidence, responsibility,
integrity, creative decision-making skills, and teamwork,
helping them take steps toward becoming the leaders of
tomorrow and developing real-world leadership abilities that
will last them a lifetime;
Whereas the Girl Scouts advocate for public policy that is
girl-centered and beneficial to all girls;
Whereas the Girl Scouts recognize that approximately
9,000,000 children over the age of 6 are obese; that obesity
is highest among girls coming from families with low-income
levels, and that fewer than 1 in 3 adolescents participate in
an acceptable amount of physical exercise, with girls getting
less exercise than boys overall; and
Whereas the Girl Scouts are focusing on promoting healthy
living for girls during 2007 and recognize through a recent
study ``The New Normal: What Girls are Saying About Healthy
Living'' that girls define ``health'' as a combination of
diet and exercise as well as emotional well-being and self-
esteem: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America for its efforts to launch a national dialogue on the
issue of obesity among young girls;
(2) recognizes the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America for its leadership and expertise in knowing the needs
of girls through the work of the Girl Scout Research
Institute; and
(3) commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America for continuing to actively promote issues important
to girls.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, it was a brisk March morning when Juliette Gordon Low
placed a historic phone call to her cousin in Savannah, Georgia.
Juliette said, ``Come right over. I've got something for the girls of
Savannah, and all of America, and the world, and we're going to start
it tonight.''
That phone call proved to be a historic one. On the evening of March
12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to register the first
troop of Girl Scouts in the United States of America. With one phone
call a movement was born.
An organization founded upon the principles of strength, empowerment,
responsibility, and community, the Girl Scouts have continued to change
the lives of many girls for generations. While other organizations have
struggled to deal with factors such as race and socioeconomic status,
the Girl Scouts have always been looked at as an organization of
inclusion, having desegregated councils as early as 1917.
{time} 1445
The Girl Scouts also offer programs for girls in unusual situations
that make it difficult for them to participate in the standard program.
The Girl Scouts Beyond Bars programs helps daughters of incarcerated
mothers to connect with their mothers and to have the mothers
participate in Girl Scout activities.
Another program, Girl Scouting in Detention Centers, allows girls who
are themselves in detention centers to participate in scouting. Other
initiatives try to help girls in rural areas or in public housing.
There are also programs for American girls living overseas.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not comment on one of my
favorite Girl Scout traditions, which is the annual cookie sale. For
many years, I was overjoyed when I would see the little girls selling
cookies door to door. I personally like the shortbread cookies.
It is because of the long-standing history and commitment of the Girl
Scouts of the United States of America that I commend them and ask my
colleagues for their support in the passage of this commendation
without delay.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today commemorates the 95th anniversary of the founding
of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Founder Juliette
Daisy Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout meeting with 18 girls
in Savannah, Georgia. While living in the United Kingdom, Low dreamed
of giving the United States something for all girls and envisioned
exposing girls to helping their communities and enjoying the outdoors.
The organization went through many different name changes, but it was
finally renamed as we know it today in 1947. It was later chartered by
the United States Congress on March 16, 1950.
For 95 years, the Girl Scout organization has provided real-world
leadership training for over 50 million girls and young women across
the Nation. Today, overall membership includes 2.7 million girl members
and 928,000 adult members, working primarily as volunteers. Mr.
Speaker, I am proud to say
[[Page H2413]]
that my two oldest granddaughters are members of the Girl Scouts of
America.
The important guidance given to girls goes far beyond the eagerly
anticipated annual sale of Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Dos si Dos, now
made without any trans fat. Through their various programs, the
organization instills the ideals of character, conduct, leadership, as
well as service to others. They have recently launched a program for
girls focused on healthy living that includes education regarding diet
and exercise.
This important education has been instituted because of the national
concern about obesity among children and the knowledge that a program
such as this has been proven to lead to emotional and physical well-
being.
The Girl Scouts organization has long been committed to helping girls
of today become leaders of tomorrow through activities that build self-
confidence, responsibility, integrity, creative decision-making skills,
and teamwork. It can be difficult growing up, especially in today's
society.
The Girl Scouts is one organization that has consistently guided
members to believe that girls can do anything by offering girls aged 5
through 17 a variety of opportunities through their scouting programs.
The Girl Scouts are woven into the fabric of American life and have
affected girls' lives, as well as their families, in virtually every
community in the country. Girl Scout programs continue to expand,
taking into account the diverse population of America today.
They have initiated outreach programs that strive to include all
cultures as part of their mission to foster the qualities on which the
United States depends. The Girl Scouts not only reach out to girls in
the United States but through U.S.A. Girl Scouts Overseas, it is
committed to helping girls worldwide become leaders of tomorrow. Their
new vision statement sums up all that is good about this organization
by saying, ``Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and
character, who make the world a better place.''
For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in
supporting H. Res. 136.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman
from Georgia for his eloquent remarks, and it is my pleasure to yield
such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs.
McCarthy), the sponsor of this legislation.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Davis of Illinois
and Congressman Westmoreland from Georgia, also.
March marks the 95th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United
States of America. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, with only 18
members, Girl Scouts is now the finest organization for girls in the
world, with close to 4 million active members and more than 50 million
former members, and I am proud to say I am one of them.
Girl Scouts provides high-quality, age-appropriate experiences for
girls locally, nationally and internationally that build girls of
courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
For 95 years, Girl Scouts has served girls through a remarkable
leadership development program delivered by dedicated volunteers in
every community across the country. All programs are girl-driven and
provide girls with a wide variety of leadership building activities
that promote teamwork and the development of strong decision-making
skills.
There are many programs to choose from, including more than 70
achievement badges encouraging girls to pursue education and careers in
math, science and engineering, an anti-bullying and violence prevention
program, and a program that connects girls with their mothers who are
incarcerated.
Girl Scouts also offer a huge range of outreach activities to girls
who have never had the opportunity to be a Girl Scout, including Latina
and Native American girls, along with girls in rural communities and in
public housing developments.
Girl Scouts recognizes the importance of giving a voice to girls by
sharing original research reviews that have helped change the dialogue
among the media, policymakers and community leaders on issues important
to girls. They have released numerous reports that have helped shape
policy discussions in this country.
In celebrating 95 years of excellence and the significant
contributions, Girl Scouts will raise the bar in being the voice for
all girls.
Help me commend the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for
its leadership and expertise in meeting the needs of girls throughout
their 95 years of remarkable programs, knowledge and information about
girls who recognize the nearly 1 million current adult volunteers and
volunteers through the decades.
Mr. Speaker, spending time as a Girl Scout when I was a young child I
have to say was a wonderful, wonderful experience. Back then, we only
worked on homemaking skills. We did things that girls did in the early
1960s, but today I am proud to say that when you see the Girl Scouts
working together, serving, certainly volunteerism in nursing homes and
helping our elderly, mentoring for those students that need it, they
have come a long way and they are on the right track, certainly
expanding their horizon for what they are going to do. When they meet
with other Girl Scouts internationally, it is a wonderful opportunity
so different countries can get to know each other.
They are the future of our Nation, and I am proud of them, and I urge
my colleagues to pass this resolution.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as he might consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).
Mr. BARROW. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, it is with a certain amount of personal pride and a
great deal of civic pride that I join my colleagues in support of this
resolution today.
On the civic side of things, I have the privilege of representing
Savannah, Georgia, in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is my
hometown. Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah. She
was a native of Savannah. She founded the organization in 1912. The
first organization's headquarters was in the back of her home in
Savannah, Georgia, and from that humble beginning some 95 years ago we
have gone from 18 members to almost 4 million members worldwide. I go
by that building every time I am in town on the way to work, walking on
the streets. It gives me a great deal of civic pride, along with the
rest of my fellow Savannahians, who recognize that Girl Scouts the
world over look to Savannah as the home and the homeplace of Girl
Scouting.
On a personal level, I venture to say that very few of us guys in the
U.S. House of Representatives are closer to Girl Scouting than I am. I
have three sisters. Every one of them was a Girl Scout, including my
twin sister, and I can tell you as a guy you don't get much closer to
Girl Scouting than that.
I know that there are lots of organizations that promote courage,
confidence and character in young girls but none do as good a job as
the Girl Scouts.
On behalf of my hometown, on behalf of the 700,000 people that I have
privilege of representing in Congress, and on behalf of the millions of
brothers of Girl Scouts the worldwide, I am proud to congratulate the
Girl Scouts on their 95th anniversary, and I extend my best wishes for
the next 95 years.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is just good to know that in
addition to the great scenic beauty and southern charm that Savannah is
so well-noted for, that other good things have come from there, and
certainly the Girl Scouts of America. I would urge all Members to vote
in favor of this legislation.
Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to
join the Girl Scouts of the USA in celebrating their 95th anniversary.
Since its founding in 1912, the Girl Scouts has become the world's
preeminent organization for girls. Back then they had just 18 members,
but today, there are 3.7 million Girl Scouts--2.7 million girl members
and 928,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers.
[[Page H2414]]
Girl Scouting builds confidence, character, and leadership skills
which allow girls to grow into young women who make positive
contributions to the world around them. Each unique experience, be it
reading to younger students or participating in a math competition,
empowers girls and helps them reach their full potential.
On the national level, the Girl Scouts of the USA has been an
advocate for girls' involvement in math, science and engineering; for
violence prevention and for the health and safety of all girls. Through
their many government and corporate partnerships, the Girl Scouts bring
innovative programming to girls throughout the country and expand their
reach to underserved communities where girls need it most.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley, which
serves my district, has over 21,000 members and 7,000 adult volunteers.
I am proud to have such a wonderful team of volunteers dedicated to the
leadership and character development of girls in Southeastern
Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I know that all of us take pride knowing
that each and every Girl Scout of today will be one of tomorrow's
leaders.
I know the Girl Scouts of the USA will celebrate many more
anniversaries and continue to be a positive influence on our Nation's
girls and on our society for generations to come.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 136.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
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