[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF GIRLS ON THE RUN OF NORTHERN 
                                VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia and to congratulate them on the 
occasion of their 10th Anniversary.
  All of us who have a daughter or niece, or even know a young or pre-
teen girl, understand very well the difficulties that many experience 
on their journey to adulthood. Peer pressure, the media, and other 
external influences can often cause our young daughters to feel 
inadequate or simply not good enough. Girls on the Run seeks to address 
this issue by encouraging healthy choices and instilling confidence 
that all girls belong ``just the way they are.''
  Girls on the Run was originally founded in 1996 by Molly Barker, a 
four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete to celebrate the gifts of girlhood 
and fight what she calls ``Girl-Box'' issues. Girl-Box is a place where 
girls and young teens are valued more for their outward appearance than 
their character inside. This can result in low self-esteem and a 
distorted body image which have been linked to eating disorders, teen 
pregnancy and substance abuse. Girls on the Run focuses on the 
development of a healthy, positive self-image and strives to empowers 
all girls to have a strong sense of identity, resist peer pressure, 
stand up for themselves in a healthy manner, and understand their 
importance as individuals and as part of the larger community. In just 
15 years, Girls on the Run now serves over 60,000 girls annually 
throughout the United States and into Canada.
  Girls on the Run came to Northern Virginia in 2001 and initially had 
only 2 sites serving 27 girls. In 2010, Girls on the Run of NOVA, as 
the largest chapter in the national organization, will offer over 200 
programs in 172 locations and serve more than 6,000 girls. Based out of 
public and private schools in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince 
William counties as well as the cities of Alexandria, Manassas, 
Manassas Park, Fairfax City and Falls Church, Girls on the Run NOVA 
reaches across all ethnic, racial and socio-economic lines. No girl is 
ever denied because of inability to pay the modest fees assessed for 
this program--financial aid is offered to qualifying individuals. In 
2008 over one-third of all participants received financial assistance.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia on the occasion of their 10th 
Anniversary and also in thanking them for their commitment to 
instilling self-respect and dignity to all of our daughters in Northern 
Virginia.

                          ____________________