BILL ANALYSIS
ACR 46
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 13, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mike Feuer, Chair
ACR 46 (Saldana) - As Amended: March 24, 2010
SUBJECT : GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA
KEY ISSUE : SHOULD THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE COMMEND THE GIRL
SCOUTS FOR 98 YEARS OF SERVICE?
SYNOPSIS
ACR 46 is a non-controversial resolution which this Committee
has consistently passed on a bipartisan basis for many years.
It honors the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, this
year for 98 years of service, in inspiring millions of girls
with the highest ideals of character, conduct and patriotism.
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." It
notes among other things that the Girl Scouts promote the ideals
of acceptance, understanding, cultural awareness, and tolerance.
This resolution has no known opposition.
SUMMARY : Commends the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America for 98 years of service and for inspiring millions of
girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, and
patriotism. Specifically, this resolution declares, among other
things:
1)Friday, March 12, 2010, marks the 98th anniversary of the Girl
Scouts of the United States of America;
2)In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts with just
18 girls and a dream in which she envisioned "something for
all the girls," to enable them to better serve their
communities, experience the outdoors, and contribute to
national and international social development;
ACR 46
Page 2
3)Ninety-eight years later, her efforts are responsible for
creating the largest girl-serving organization in the world
with 3.4 million members throughout the United States and in
more than 90 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas;
4)Nationwide, 236,000 troops provide opportunities for girls
between 5 and 17 years of age to discover the fun, friendship,
and power of girls together, as Daisy Girl Scouts, Brownie
Girl Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts, Cadette Girl Scouts, and
Senior Scouts;
5)During the 1960s, the Girl Scouts began programs and projects
focused on overcoming prejudice and building relationships
with those of all ages, religions, classes, and races;
6)That same social consciousness continues today as the Girl
Scouts promote the ideals of acceptance, understanding,
cultural awareness, and tolerance;
7)The Girl Scouts is an organization with a proud history of
inclusion and acceptance, and has historically promoted
diversity in its membership by accepting all girls and women,
regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation,
economic background, national origin, disability, or medical
condition;
8)In addition to their focus on the world around them, the Girl
Scouts strive to develop each girl's potential through skill
building, technological awareness, self-esteem and image
promotion, and countless other opportunities that motivate and
empower girls to grow and become leaders in their own right;
9)Because of this focus, Girl Scouts will lead businesses and
ACR 46
Page 3
communities, take active roles in mathematics, science,
technology, and the arts, and are striving to fulfill our
country's economic needs;
10)One in four American women has been a Girl Scout and the
organization is committed to outreach efforts representing its
reputation as the premier voice for girls and an expert on
their growth and development;
11)Some 50 million women have enjoyed the benefits of the Girl
Scout program, as an American tradition, for 98 years.
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 non-controversial resolution honors the Girl
Scouts of America for 98 years of service and for inspiring
millions of girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct,
and patriotism. The 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 3.4
million girls nationally.
The resolution cites the promotion by the Girl Scouts of ideals
of acceptance, understanding, cultural awareness and tolerance.
It notes that the Girl Scouts is an organization with a proud
history of inclusion and acceptance, and has historically
promoted diversity in its membership by accepting all girls and
women, regardless of their religion, nationality, economic
background, or sexual orientation.
The resolution further cites the efforts of the Girl Scouts to
develop each girl's potential through skill building,
technological awareness, self-esteem, and image promotion.
All prior such resolutions commending the Girl Scouts that have
come through this Committee have been non-controversial, like
ACR 46
Page 4
this one, and have been passed unanimously with bipartisan
support.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : In support, the California National
Organization for Women states that the Girl Scouts of America
"has a long history of work to advance girls and young women
throughout the country, and openly accepts members and leaders
from all different backgrounds without discrimination."
In addition, the Regional Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission
writes that "[i]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."
Prior Related Legislation. ACR 48 (Goldberg) Res. Ch. 56,
Stats. 2005. This measure commended the Girl Scouts for 93
years of service and for inspiring millions of girls with the
highest ideals of character, conduct, and patriotism.
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.
ACR 157 (Chu) Res. Ch. 48, Stats. 2002. This measure commended
the Girl Scouts for 90 years of service and for inspiring
millions of girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct,
and patriotism.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Commission on the Status of Women
California National Organization for Women
Equality California
Regional Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission
Opposition
None on file
ACR 46
Page 5
Analysis Prepared by : Drew Liebert / JUD. / (916) 319-2334