[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16841]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA

  Mr. MERKLEY. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to 
the consideration of S. Res. 312, which was submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 312) commending Girl Scouts of the 
     USA on the special occasion of its 52nd annual convention and 
     commending the commitment of Girl Scouts of the USA to the 
     mission of fostering the courage, confidence, and character 
     that girls need to become leaders and make the world a better 
     place.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to the resolution.
  Mr. MERKLEY. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 312) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 312

       Whereas, on March 12, 1912, founder Juliette Gordon Low 
     organized the first troop of Girl Scouts of the USA (referred 
     to in this preamble as ``Girl Scouts'');
       Whereas, on March 16, 1950, Girl Scouts became the first 
     national organization for girls to be granted a Federal 
     charter by Congress;
       Whereas Girl Scouts regularly informs Congress of its 
     progress and program initiatives through annual reports;
       Whereas Girl Scouts actively promotes initiatives to help 
     young women discover their full potential by--
       (1) instilling a sound foundation of positive values;
       (2) developing a sense of service;
       (3) facilitating creative decision-making; and
       (4) turning girls into model citizens and leaders of their 
     community, the country, and the world;
       Whereas Girl Scouts is holding its 52nd Convention in 
     November 2011 in Houston, Texas;
       Whereas the 2011 Girl Scout Leadership Institute, which 
     will run at the 52nd Convention, encourages young women, ages 
     13 to 18, to explore and build skills in math, science, 
     business, and technology to prepare for future success in the 
     increasingly competitive global marketplace;
       Whereas the 2011 Girl Scout Leadership Institute, under the 
     theme of ``Leadership and Innovation, the Next 100 Years''--
       (1) seeks to advance leadership opportunities for girls;
       (2) promotes programs that offer advanced curriculum;
       (3) engages over 1,200 young women from across the globe;
       (4) connects young women to industry professionals;
       (5) builds the interest of young women in innovation and 
     technology;
       (6) addresses global issues; and
       (7) teaches life-long leadership abilities and teamwork 
     skills in an interactive environment;
       Whereas Girl Scouts has renewed the focus on involving 
     girls in ``innovative, hands-on experiences in science, 
     technology, engineering, and math'' (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``STEM'') that ``strengthen the natural aptitudes 
     of girls and acquaint them with new career options and tools 
     for future independence'';
       Whereas Girl Scouts develops girl-centered programs that--
       (1) are attuned to the ever-changing needs of women working 
     in the current global market; and
       (2) encourage girls to actively engage in STEM activities, 
     facilitating valuable real-world experiences that are 
     integral to developing the next female leaders of the United 
     States;
       Whereas Girl Scouts remains a preeminent organization with 
     3,200,000 members, dedicated solely to--
       (1) inspiring generations of girls to reach for their 
     goals, challenge stereotypes, and develop to their full 
     potential; and
       (2) advancing opportunities for women to accomplish feats 
     previously thought impossible for the female gender; and
       Whereas Girl Scouts has significantly contributed to the 
     advancement of the United States for 100 years by instilling 
     in young women the leadership qualities on which the strength 
     of the United States depends: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends Girl Scouts of the USA for organizing--
       (A) the 2011 National Council Session and the 52nd 
     Convention;
       (B) the 2011 Girl Scout Leadership Institute; and
       (C) the 2011 ``Leadership and Innovation, the Next 100 
     Years'' workshops; and
       (2) commends Girl Scouts of the USA for continuing to 
     create learning opportunities and activities for young women 
     to develop strong leadership values and life skills.

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