House Concurrent Resolution 18

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 12-19 AS "GIRL SCOUT WEEK" IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND COMMENDING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA ON THE ORGANIZATION'S 114TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of the USA traces its roots to March 1912, when Juliette Gordon Low of Savannah, Georgia, established a Girl Guide troop after she met the founder of the Scout Movement, Robert Baden-Powell, in the United Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, originally known as the Girl Guides of America, the organization changed its name to the Girl Scouts of the United States in 1913, and adopted its current name in 1947; and

WHEREAS, from its humble beginning with just 18 members, the Girl Scouts of the USA has grown and expanded into the largest Scouting organization for girls in the country, now composed of over 1.1 million girl members and nearly 2 million total members; and

WHEREAS, since 1912, the Girl Scouts of the USA has empowered more than 50 million alumnae to develop invaluable life skills, hone their personal strengths, find opportunities to serve their communities, and build lifelong friendships; and

WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of the USA teaches its members to dream big and has increased girls' awareness of opportunities in math, science, sports and technology, encouraging them to explore these and many other fields of interest to broaden their horizons and pursue their passions; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to working with key collaborators to build a better world, the Girl Scouts of the USA has fulfilled its mission through the generosity and dedication of adult volunteers, mentors and community partners who have joined together to promote compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship among young girls across the great Magnolia State and throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, March 12, 2026, marks the 114th anniversary of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of the USA, offering a unique opportunity to recognize the achievements of generations of Girl Scouts throughout the organization's history and inspire the next generation of bold, confident leaders in Scouting; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding organizations, especially those such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization leading the way for girls across the country as they find their confidence, use their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the week of March 12-19, 2026, and in each succeeding year, as "Girl Scout Week" throughout the State of Mississippi and commend the Girl Scouts of the USA on the organization's 114th anniversary.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Joan Reid and the members of Troop 4616, Service Unit 611, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.