[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON ITS 95TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Girl 
Scouts of the United States of America for helping millions of young 
women become role models and community leaders for the past 95 years.
  It was in 1912 that Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girls Scouts of 
the USA. Based on her lifelong desire to serve and assist others, she 
brought girls of all backgrounds together and helped them develop 
important skills to serve their communities, help the needy and make 
the world a better place to live. Going against the traditional norms 
of the time, she encouraged young women to not only prepare for a role 
as a homemaker, but also to learn skills to succeed as a professional 
woman.
  Starting 95 years ago with a single troop of 18 girls, Juliette 
Gordon Low's mission has grown exponentially. More than 50 million 
girls have since experienced the benefits of Girl Scouting and research 
shows that Girl Scout alumnae now represent 70 percent of women serving 
in Congress, 64 percent of women listed in ``Who's Who in America,'' 
and 53 percent of women business owners.
  In my District, the Girl Scouts of Downingtown will celebrate this 
anniversary with a day of service at Chester County's Springton Manor 
Farm Park. The girls and their parents will spend the day volunteering 
their time on everything from planting trees and gardening to cleaning 
the trails and building a new orienteering course.
  So I ask, Madam Speaker, that my colleagues join me today in 
congratulating the Girl Scouts of the USA as they celebrate this 
historic milestone and encouraging this exemplary organization to 
provide another 95 years of service and assistance to the young women 
of this country in developing important skills to better their 
communities and succeed in careers of their choosing.

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