[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E146-E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING VICTORIA GONZALEZ FOR RECEIVING THE GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Victoria Gonzalez, a 
young woman who has been honored with the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold 
Award--the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. The Girl Scout 
Gold Award symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of 
leadership, community service, career planning, and personal 
development.
  Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization serving over 2.6 million 
girls, has issued more than 20,000 Gold Awards to Senior Girl Scouts 
since the inception of the program in 1980. To receive the award, a 
Girl Scout must earn four interest project patches, the Career 
Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and the Senior 
Girl Scout Challenge. She must also design and implement a Gold 
project.
  Victoria's project was based on a need she observed firsthand. While 
volunteering at a Christmas party for the Ozanam Homeless Shelter in 
Brownsville, Texas, Victoria realized

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the homeless did not have access to meals every day. With the help and 
encouragement of Mr. David Bonnett, her school's National Junior Honor 
Society sponsor, and funding approval from the administrators of Saint 
Joseph Academy, Victoria implemented a program to feed area homeless. 
Volunteers from Saint Joseph Academy now prepare and distribute meals 
on the fifth Friday of longer months, filling a gap in services. I 
applaud Victoria's efforts to help those most in need.
  Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment for 
Victoria, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her for 
this significant service to her community.

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