A resolution designating the week of March 9 through March 15, 2003, as "National Girl Scout Week".

Mr. President, I am very proud to join Senator Hutchison

in submitting this Resolution to designate March 9 through March 15 as National Girl Scout Week. As former girl Scouts, we are so grateful for what Scouting has meant in our lives--and in the lives of millions of girls.

Girl Scouts put their values into action. As a Girl Scout, you participate in a broad range of activities--from taking nature hikes to taking in the arts. You serve in local food banks and learn about politics. As your skills grow as a Girl Scout, so does your self- confidence. The badges you earn serve as symbols for success, leadership, accomplishment, and service in your community. With help from the Girl Scouts, you can develop into a solid citizen in mind, body and spirit.

As a Girl Scout, you also learn values and attitudes that serve as good guides throughout life. You learn the importance of treating other people fairly and with the dignity they deserve. You develop the confidence to know that you can reach your goals. You learn to be a leader.

In today's hectic and uncertain world, Scouts are more important than ever. Young girls and boys need before and after school activities that are safe, educational, and fun. They need adult role models like the girl Scouts, who are dedicated to helping young people. They need to learn the high ideals of leadership, service, character, and good conduct. In sum, America needs the Girl Scouts to help us maintain a civil society.

I applaud the Girl Scouts for what you do to help girls and to help communities. I thank you for what you meant to me and what you do for millions of young women across the country. I hope the Resolution that Senator Hutchison and myself have introduced here today raises more public awareness of the good works that you do.

Congratulations to the Girl Scouts on your 91st anniversary. I am so proud of who you are and what you do.

Mr. President, I rise today to submit an important resolution recognizing the Girl Scouts of America.

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia for the first Girl Scout meeting. Girl Scouts of America has a current membership of nearly four million girls and adult volunteers.

It is the preeminent organization in the United States committed to inspiring girls and young women with the highest ideals of character, conduct, and service to others.

As the first National organization for girls to be granted a Federal charter by Congress, Girl Scouts offers girls of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to grow, develop friendships, and gain valuable life experiences.

The Girl Scout initiatives has enabled more than 50 million women in the United States to participate in community service projects, cultural exchanges, athletic events, and educational activities that teach self-confidence, responsibility, and integrity.

Girl Scout initiatives have reflected the Nation's changing social and economic climate. For example, the National organization recently began a campaign to encourage girls to develop an interest in math, science, and technology as a way to create greater diversity in the workforce and to help bridge the techno-gender divide.

Today, one in nine girls is a member of the Girl Scouts, and over two-thirds of our female doctors, lawyers, educators, and community leaders were once Girl Scouts. I am proud to say that I, too, was a Girl Scout.

I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this legislation, which would designate the week beginning March 9, 2003, as ``National Girl Scout Week.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 79, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.