BILL ANALYSIS Ó
ACR 108
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Date of Hearing: March 5, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mike Feuer, Chair
ACR 108 (Wieckowski) - As Introduced: February 13, 2012
As Proposed to Be Amended
SUBJECT : GIRL SCOUTS: 100TH ANNIVERSARY
KEY ISSUE : SHOULD THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE COMMEND THE GIRL
SCOUTS FOR 100 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE?
SYNOPSIS
This non-controversial resolution honors the Girl Scouts of the
United States of America for 100 years of exemplary service by
developing girls of courage, confidence, and character who make
the world a better place. The resolution recognizes the
significant role the Girl Scouts has played in mentoring young
women throughout California and the nation, as an organization
"where girls grow strong."
SUMMARY : Commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America for 100 years of service and for continuing to inspire,
challenge, and empower girls. Specifically, this resolution
declares:
1)On March 12, 1912, the first Girl Scout meeting was held in
Savannah, Georgia; and
2)The first Girl Scout meeting was led by Juliette Gordon Low
who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA after meeting with sir
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl
Guides; and
3)Since this first meeting more than 50 million girls have
participated in the Girl Scout movement during their childhood
and that number continues to grow as Girl Scouts of the USA
continues to inspire, challenge, and empower girls everywhere;
and
4)There are currently 3.2 million Girl Scouts, 2.3 million girl
members and 880,000 adult members; and
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5)Through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a worldwide
family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries; and
6)The Girl Scouts is the largest, longest running and most
effective leadership program for girls in not only the United
States, but the world; and
7)Sixty-nine percent of the current women in the United States
Senate and 65 percent of the women in the United States House
of Representatives were Girl Scouts when they were children;
and
8)Fifty-five percent of all women astronauts are former Girl
Scouts and former Girl Scouts have flown in over one-third of
all space shuttle missions; and
9)An estimated 80 percent of women business executives and
business owners were once Girl Scouts; and
10)Sixty-four percent of today's female leaders listed in Who's
Who of American Women in the United States were once Girl
Scouts; and
11)Countless women educators, scientists, and women in the media
and performing arts discovered their passions and talents as
Girl Scouts; and
12)In the 1900s Girl Scouts developed the same core values while
learning housekeeping and forestry badges as girls learn today
while earning computer technology and financial literacy
badges; and
13)Girl Scouts develop girls of courage, confidence, and
character who make the world a better place.
EXISTING LAW honored the Girl Scouts on the 93rd anniversary of
their founding. (Resolution Chapter 56 of 2005.)
FISCAL EFFECT : The resolution as currently in print is keyed
non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : This resolution honors the Girl Scouts of America for
100 years of service and for inspiring millions of girls with
the highest ideals of courage, confidence, and character. The
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resolution sets forth facts relating to the founding of the Girl
Scouts by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and the growth of the Girl
Scouts into the largest girl-serving organization in the world,
with a membership surpassing 3.2 million girls nationally.
According to the author, on March 12th, 1912 Juliette Gordon Low
held the first meeting of Girl Scouts of the USA. This year
marks the 100th birthday of the longest running and most
effective leadership program for girls in the United States.
Growing up with 5 sisters who were all Scouts, says
Assemblymember Wieckowski "gave me first-hand knowledge of how
membership helps girls develop the courage, confidence, and
character to make the world a better place."
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : When virtually identical resolutions have
been heard by the Committee, the California National
Organization for Women has repeatedly commented that the Girl
Scouts of America "has a long history of workİing] to advance
girls and young women throughout the country, and openly accepts
members and leaders from all different backgrounds without
discrimination." Likewise the Regional Human Rights/Fair
Housing Commission has written that "İi]t is rare that any
organization can stand the test of time and not be altered or
re-invented to match our changing times. However, the Girl
Scouts of America have done just that, for the past 98 years of
service this organization has touched the lives of millions of
girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct and
patriotism."
Author's Amendment : Reflecting the long and laudable history of
the Girl Scouts promoting the ideals of acceptance,
understanding, cultural awareness, and tolerance, the author is
amending the resolution in Committee to congratulate the Girl
Scouts for this tradition as follows:
At page 2, between lines 28 and 29, insert:
WHEREAS, That same social consciousness continues today as
the Girl Scouts promote the ideals of acceptance,
understanding, cultural awareness, and tolerance; and
Prior Related Legislation. ACR 46 (Saldana) of 2010, died
without referral from Senate Rules.
ACR 48 (Goldberg) Res. Ch. 56, Stats. 2005. This measure
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commended the Girl Scouts for 93 years of service and for
inspiring millions of girls with the highest ideals of
character, conduct, and patriotism while promoting the ideals of
acceptance, understanding, cultural awareness, and tolerance.
ACR 43 (Montanez) Res. Ch. 28, Stats. 2003. This measure
commended the Girl Scouts for 91 years of service and for
inspiring millions of girls with the highest ideals of
character, conduct, and patriotism while promoting the ideals of
acceptance, understanding, cultural awareness, and tolerance.
ACR 157 (Chu) Res. Ch. 48, Stats. 2002. This measure similarly
commended the Girl Scouts for 90 years of service.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Drew Liebert / JUD. / (916) 319-2334