[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 483]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING KATHY CLONINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2004

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as co-leader of the Honorary 
Congressional Girl Scout Troop to honor Kathy Cloninger, the new Chief 
Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. Kathy is fully deserving 
of the mark of distinction that Girl Scouts of the USA has placed on 
her as new CEO. She is a proven and respected leader.
  Ms. Cloninger has a wonderful, long, and highly regarded history in 
Girl Scouting. For decades she has been a steadfast advocate for girls. 
Kathy comes to Girl Scouts of the USA from Cumberland Valley Girl Scout 
Council in Tennessee where she served as CEO. During her tenure there, 
she had incredible success increasing membership, especially in under-
served communities, and her innovative leadership helped to create some 
of the most contemporary programming in Girl Scouting. Kathy has been 
bestowed with many prestigious awards recognizing her for her character 
and her profound vision.
  Most notably, Kathy is a woman with a strong sense of purpose and a 
commitment to advancing her vision for Girl Scouts. Her goal is to 
increase the organization's strength as a national, aggressive advocate 
for girls in this country, and I am certain she will accomplish this 
goal with grace and ability.
  Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's preeminent organization for 
girls, and for 92 years it has been dedicated to empowering girls to 
grow strong. Over 50 million women, including myself, have been Girl 
Scouts. Today, the organization continues to address contemporary 
issues affecting girls and boasts a membership of nearly three million 
girls and one million volunteers. I am proud to be part of such a 
remarkable organization and look forward to watching Girl Scouts of the 
USA grow and thrive under Kathy's leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating Kathy Cloninger 
in her new position and praise her for the exemplary work she has done 
and will continue to do as the new Chief Executive Officer of Girl 
Scouts of the USA.

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