[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6875]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      TRIBUTE TO VALERIE KNAPP, RACHEL KENNEDY AND AMANDA HANDRICH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RAY LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2001

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute three 
outstanding young women who have been honored with the Girl Scout Gold 
Award by Girl Scouts-Kickapoo Council in Peoria, Illinois. They are 
Valerie Knapp, Rachel Kennedy, and Amanda Handrich. They are being 
honored on May 6, 2001 for earning the highest achievement in U.S. Girl 
Scouting. The Girl Scout Gold Award symbolizes outstanding 
accomplishments in the areas of leadership, community service, career 
planning, and personal development. The award can be earned by girls 
aged 14-17, or in grades 9-12.
  Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., an organization serving over 2.5 million 
girls, has awarded more than 20,000 Girl Scout 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, as well as design and implement a Girl Scout Gold 
Award project. A plan for fulfilling these requirements is created by 
the Senior Girl Scout and is carried out through close cooperation 
between the girls and an adult Girl Scout volunteer.
  Valerie Knapp began working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in 1999. 
She completed her project by planning and implementing a campout for 
5th and 6th grade girls.
  Rachel Kennedy began working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in 
2000. She completed her project by helping her youth group plan and 
implement a Vacation Bible School for children in Houston, Texas.
  Amanda Handrich began working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award in 
1997. She completed her project by providing clothing and toys for 
Christmas for less fortunate children.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe these three young women should be given the 
public recognition due them for their significant service to their 
communities and their country.

                          ____________________