[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 44 (Friday, March 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 16, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the achievements of Girl Scouts on the occasion of their 
100th Anniversary.
  On March 12, 1912, Juliette ``Daisy'' Gordon Low assembled 18 girls 
from Savannah, Georgia, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed 
that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, 
mentally and spiritually.
  The first Girl Scout troop in Southern Nevada was formed on April 14, 
1932, in Boulder City, with just 22 girls. Girl Scouts of Southern 
Nevada received their charter from Girl Scouts of the USA in 1943.
  In 1950, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada held their first cookie 
sale. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in 
the country and generates immeasurable benefits for the Scouts, their 
councils and communities nationwide. Girl Scouts set cookie goals to 
support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service 
and leadership projects, to attend summer camp, to travel to 
destinations near and far and to provide events for girls in their 
community.
  By 1954, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada opened Camp Foxtail in 
Lee Canyon, Toiyabe National Forest. Three years later they moved their 
headquarters to Las Vegas and by 1961, the Girl Scouts of Southern 
Nevada dedicated a Service Center.
  In the 1980s, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada opened the first 
Drop-In Center. In these centers Girl Scouts get the opportunity to 
experience hands-on robotics teams, science camps, and career 
exploration days. Girl Scouts view the world of technology through a 
lens that inspires them to tackle tomorrow's technological 
opportunities and challenges.
  For 100 years, Girl Scouts have helped girls discover the fun, 
friendship, and power of girls together. Today, there are 3.2 million 
Girl Scouts with 2.3 million girl members and 880,000 adult members 
working primarily as volunteers to help girls grow courageous and 
strong.
  Through participation in Girl Scout programs, girls ultimately will 
begin to discover their full leadership potential with increased self-
confidence, creative decision-making skills, and teamwork. Their 
organization provides an accepting and nurturing environment for girls 
to build character and life skills for success in the real world.
  Girl Scouts provide safe, stimulating academic and developmental 
programs designed specifically for girls. Their programs are building 
blocks to offer age appropriate development skills from 5 to 17 years 
old. The Girl Scouts model is designed to encourage girls to discover 
their values, skills and explore the world around them. They connect 
with others in a multicultural environment and take action to make a 
difference in the world.