House Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON ITS 92ND ANNIVERSARY AND THE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI ON ITS 49TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (USA), founded in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, with only 18 members and the dreams of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, who envisioned an organization that would bring girls out of their cloistered home environments to serve in their communities and experience the open air, celebrated its 92nd anniversary on March 12, 2004; and

WHEREAS, personally funding the newly formed organization, Daisy sold her extremely valuable necklace of rare matched pearls to ensure the continued operation of the circle which very rapidly grew in respect, as many talented and educated women and girls sought an outlet to expound on their abilities; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts is the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world; and

WHEREAS, in partnership with committed adults, Girl Scouts develop qualities that will serve its members all their lives, including strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth; and

WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of the USA chartered the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi in 1955 after troops in 11 Mississippi counties were combined from the Jackson and Vicksburg Girl Scout Councils in order to develop, manage and maintain Girl Scouts in that area; and

WHEREAS, the Middle Mississippi Council now serves a 20-county region of central and southwestern Mississippi, serving 32 service units, including: Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Jefferson, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Walthall, Warren, Wilkinson and Yazoo Counties; and

WHEREAS, with a total membership consisting of 7,835 girls and 2,156 adults under the administration of Jean Lee as President, Tina Crump as Executive Director, Twila Vantrease as Assistant Executive Director and a 21-member elected board of directors, the Middle Mississippi Council has continuously strived to maintain its commitment to excellence through volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the excellence of such an outstanding organization as Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi for their many enriching programs and for courage and strength instilled in the young ladies in our society:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Girl Scouts of the United States of America on its 92nd anniversary and the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi on its 49th anniversary.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the President of the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.