[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 174 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GIRL SCOUTS ARE TODAY'S LEADERS--SUSAN SOH

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there are three important traits that 
leaders young and old should have: courage, confidence, and character. 
The three C's is a good name for them. These traits are the foundation 
of what the 2.6 million Girl Scouts worldwide use to make a difference. 
Out of the 2.6 million girls and adults, there are 1.8 million girls, 
and thousands are chosen every year as Gold Award Girl Scouts for their 
dedication to improving the communities that they serve. Out of these 
thousands of girls, only ten young leaders are chosen as National Gold 
Award Girl Scouts. This honorable distinction is reserved for those 
girls who have taken an idea and turned into concrete results that will 
have effects on the local, national, and global levels.
  Well Mr. Speaker, part of the district I represent in Houston, Texas 
happens to be home to a recently awarded National Gold Award Girl 
Scout, Susan Soh. Susan is helping to change the lives of others around 
the world with her Gold Award project, Leer a Mi (Read to Me). Susan 
learned of children in Guatemala who spoke only their local Mayan 
dialect, and not the official language of Spanish. Because of the 
language barrier, children were struggling with literacy in upon 
entering primary school. After recognizing this was a serious issue, 
Susan answered the call to action.
  Life changing effects have been made for children in Guatemala thanks 
to Susan's efforts and her partnership with Guatemala SANA. By bringing 
in Spanish speakers to record audiobooks, building a library, and 
creating language programs, almost no stone has been left unturned to 
help the local children excel in their schooling. Real results have 
been made in the community.
  Over 400 children visit the library every month and are scoring above 
their reading levels when they enter primary school. Because of the 
success of this idea turned to actionable plan, Susan has made sure the 
results continue for years to come.
  Susan, along with the other National Gold Award Girl Scouts, were 
recognized this month at the United Nations in New York City. I applaud 
her for answering the call to action. She has demonstrated true 
leadership with the three C's at the forefront of her efforts: courage, 
confidence, and character. Her work as a Girls Scout shows that she is 
a leader in our city, state, country, and around the globe.
  And that's just the way it is.

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