[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12] [Senate] [Pages 16639-16640] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 310--DESIGNATING 2012 AS THE ``YEAR OF THE GIRL'' AND CONGRATULATING GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Res. 310 Whereas, for more than 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA (referred to in this preamble as ``Girl Scouts'') has inspired girls to lead with courage, confidence and character; Whereas the Girl Scout movement began on March 12, 1912, when Juliette ``Daisy'' Gordon Low (a native of Savannah, Georgia) organized a group of 18 girls and provided the girls with the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually; Whereas the goal of Daisy Low was to bring together girls of all backgrounds to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness, and to prepare each girl for a future role as a professional woman and active citizen outside the home; Whereas, within a few years, there were nearly 70,000 Girl Scouts throughout the United States, including the territory of Hawaii; Whereas Girl Scouts established the first troops for African-American girls in 1917 and the first troops for girls with disabilities in 1920; Whereas today more than 50,000,000 women in the United States are alumnae of the Girl Scouts, and approximately 3,300,000 girls and adult volunteers are active members of the Girl Scouts; Whereas Girl Scouts live in every corner of the United States, Puerto Rico, the territories of the United States, and more than 90 countries overseas; Whereas Girl Scouts is the largest member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global movement comprised of more than 10,000,000 girls in 145 countries worldwide; Whereas the robust program of Girl Scouts helps girls develop as leaders and build confidence by learning new skills; Whereas the award-winning Girl Scout Leadership Program helps each girl discover herself and her values; Whereas the Girl Scout Leadership Program leadership model helps girls develop skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation and team building, conflict resolution, advocacy, and other important life skills; Whereas core programs around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (referred to in this preamble as ``STEM''), environmental stewardship, healthy living, financial literacy, and global citizenship help girls develop a solid foundation in leadership; Whereas STEM programming, first introduced in 1913 with the ``electrician'' and ``flyer'' badges, offers girls of every age science, technology, engineering, and math activities that are relevant to everyday life; Whereas the award-winning STEM program helps girls build strong, hands-on foundations to become future female leaders and meet the growing need for skilled science and technology professionals in the United States; Whereas healthy living programs-- (1) help each Girl Scout build the skills necessary to maintain a healthy body, an engaged mind, and a positive spirit; and (2) teach girls about fitness and nutrition, body image, self-esteem, and relational issues, especially bullying; Whereas through the 100th Anniversary Take Action Project, ``Girl Scouts Forever Green'', Girl Scouts is honoring the commitment of Juliette Low to the outdoors by engaging families, friends, and communities to improve the environment and protect the natural resources of the United States; Whereas the financial literacy programming of Girl Scouts, most notably the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program, helps girls set financial goals and gain the confidence needed to ultimately take control of their own financial future; Whereas the beloved tradition of the Girl Scout Cookie Program has a proven legacy in the United States, as more than 80 percent of highly successful businesswomen were Girl Scouts; Whereas Girl Scouts has also helped millions of young girls become good global citizens through international exchanges, travel, ``take action'' and service projects, and newer programs such as ``twinning'' (where girls in the United States connect with girls in other countries) and virtual Girl Scout troops; Whereas Girl Scouts has helped girls advance diversity in a multicultural world, connect with local and global communities, and feel empowered to make a difference in the world; Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, requires a girl to make a measurable and sustainable difference in the community by-- (1) assessing a need; (2) designing a solution; (3) finding the resources and the support to implement the solution; (4) completing the project; and (5) inspiring others to sustain the project; Whereas the Gold Award honors leadership in the Girl Scout tradition because Gold Award recipients have already changed the world as high school students; Whereas two-thirds of the most accomplished women in public service in the United States were Girl Scouts; Whereas research by Girl Scouts shows that Girl Scouts alumnae-- (1) have a positive sense of self; [[Page 16640]] (2) are engaged in community service; (3) are civically engaged; (4) have attained high levels of education; and (5) are successful according to many economic indicators; Whereas, in addition to the outstanding programs that Girl Scouts offers, Girl Scouts has evolved into the premier expert on the healthy growth and development of girls; Whereas, since the founding of the Girl Scout Research Institute in 2000, the Institute has become an internationally recognized center for original research, research reviews, and surveys that provide significant insights into the lives of girls; Whereas the research conducted by Girl Scouts not only informs Girl Scout program development and delivery, but also helps bring the voice of girls to key issues in the public sphere; Whereas, by bringing greater attention to the health, education, and developmental needs of girls, Girl Scouts provides a voice for girls with policymakers, business leaders, educators, and all other stakeholders who care about the healthy growth and development of girls; Whereas Girl Scouts ensures that issues such as STEM education, bullying prevention, unhealthy perceptions of beauty as portrayed by the media, and many other important issues-- (1) are brought to the attention of the public; and (2) are addressed through public policy at the national, State, and local levels; and Whereas Girl Scouts of the USA is recognizing its 100th anniversary by designating 2012 as the ``Year of the Girl'': Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) recognizes the importance of empowering girls to lead with courage, confidence, and character; (2) congratulates Girl Scouts of the USA on its 100th anniversary; and (3) designates 2012 as the ``Year of the Girl''. Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to join Senator Mikulski in submitting a resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. In March of 2012, the Girl Scouts of America will celebrate a century as the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to helping young women develop the character and skills for future success. The Girl Scouts have a tremendous history that should be celebrated and remembered. Since this organization was founded in 1912 in by Juliette Gordon Low, more than 50 million American girls have learned the values of integrity, leadership, and volunteerism. Today, there are more than 3.7 million members in 236,000 local troops throughout the United States and its territories, Girls Scouts has a global reach, with more than 10 million members in 145 countries. As the program continues to inspire, challenge, and empower young women across our Nation and around the world, its members are seeking to come together and recognize its 100th year of creating challenges, opportunities, and unforgettable memories. In 2009, I introduced the Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act with Senator Mikulski. Our bill, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by the President, directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative silver- dollar coins, which will be issued in 2013. Proceeds from the coin sales will benefit the Girl Scouts Centennial Year activities and the preservation of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace so that future generations of Girl Scouts will be able to pay tribute to the history of this notable organization. With more than 16,000 girl and adult members, Girl Scouts of Maine is my State's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls, all girls, where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build the character and skills for success that last a lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed my years as a Girl Scout in my hometown of Caribou, ME, including the two summers I spent at Camp Natarswi, so it gives me great pleasure to join in celebrating this important anniversary. On behalf of Girl Scouts in Maine and across America, I am pleased to introduce this resolution in celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouting. ____________________