[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E553-E554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE OLDEST LIVING GIRL SCOUT, LENORE ``GUNDY'' COSTELLO

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT FRANKLIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2024

  Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
Winter Haven's Lenore ``Gundy'' Costello, who is now the oldest living 
Girl Scout at 107 years old.
  Gundy's upbringing of helping on her family's farm in rural Ohio 
cultivated her love for the outdoors. She always successfully balanced 
farmwork and schoolwork, finishing as her high school's salutatorian. 
Gundy went on to receive degrees in sociology and biology from 
Heidelberg University, before working as the executive director of her 
local American Cross office. It was during that time she met her 
husband, Boy Scout leader and travel partner, George Costello.
  In 1942, Gundy and George moved to Florida, where she began her 
impactful Girl Scouts career. For over 40 years, she served as the 
executive director for the Heart of Florida Girl Scout Council, which 
covered the territory between Lake Placid and Ocala. On behalf of the 
Girl Scouts, Gundy was selected to travel to the West Indies to share 
about the organization. She even helped found the well-known Camp 
Wildwood, a six-hundred-acre Girl Scout camp. Gundy was recognized for 
her incredible work with the Girl Scouts at the 2023 National Council 
Session of Girl Scouts USA in Orlando.
  At age 100, Gundy retired completely, though not from her lifelong 
mission of helping others--knitting hats for chemo patients in her 
spare time. She lives out the organization's mission of fostering 
``forever friendships'' and remains close with her troop to this day. 
Just last month, Gundy and the Frostproof Girl Scouts gathered for the 
dedication of their newly renovated ``Frostproof Little House,'' where 
Gundy gave remarks and recalled her fond memories. Today, her Girl 
Scout friends regularly write and call to catch up and reminisce about 
their adventures.
  Mr. Speaker, Gundy's servant heart is an inspiration to all of us. I 
ask my colleagues to Join me--and all of Florida's Heartland--in 
saying, thank you.

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