Assembly Resolution No. 494

BY: M. of A. Harris

RECOGNIZING May 23, 2017, as Girl Scout Day

WHEREAS, For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA has
inspired generations of girls to lead with courage, confidence, and
character, making the world a better place for all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize Tuesday,
May 23, 2017, as Girl Scout Day; Girl Scouts from Staten Island and
Brooklyn will visit Albany, New York, and meet with elected officials,
tour the Capitol and go to the New York State Museum where they will be
able to view the World Trade Center exhibit; and

WHEREAS, The Girl Scouts and their Troop Leaders from Staten Island
include: Scouts-Erica Breen, Michaela Duenas, Mattea Farfan-Narcisse,
Areba Ghafoor, Meghan Haddad, Kaitlyn Lutz, Aislinn Pratt, Nicole
Renzetti, Giavanna Schrecker, Brianna Taliento, Samantha Wilkinson, and
Victoria Yzaguirre; Troop Leaders-Christine Battaglia, Debbie Dennis,
Kathryn Duenas, and Suzanne Lutz; and

WHEREAS, The Girl Scouts and their Troop Leaders from Brooklyn
include: Scouts-Jasmine Abdelkarim, Angelina Caputo, Samantha Diaz,
Adriana Dorner, Leanne Foster, Avianca Marshall, Jadalynn Millington,
Samantha Mosquera, Tahirah Moses, Ciara Quinones, Briana Redrovan,
Amelia Sambone, and Hayley Singh; Troop Leaders-Amarilis Casanova,
Yolanda De Leon, Deborah Dennis, Angel Figueroa, and Denorah Marcial;
and

WHEREAS, On March 12, 1912, Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled a
group of 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, to register the first troop of
American Girl Guides; Margaret "Daisy Doots" Gordon, her niece and name-
sake, was the first registered member; the name of the organization was
changed to Girl Scouts the following year; and

WHEREAS, Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low believed that all girls should
have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually;
with the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and
into community service and open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played
basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the
stars, and studied first aid; and

WHEREAS, Within a few years, her dream for a girl-centered
organization was realized; today, Girl Scouts of the USA has a
membership of over 3.2 million girls and adults, a significant growth
from its modest beginnings nearly a century ago; currently, there are
more than 59 million women in the United States who are Girl Scout
alumnae; and

WHEREAS, In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and
power of girls together; through a myriad of enriching experiences, such
as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community
service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardship,
girls grow courageous and strong; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full
individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding,
skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide
the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to their
improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and
cooperation with others; and

WHEREAS, Juliette Low died at her home in Savannah, Georgia, in 1927
from breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, On July 3, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill
authorizing a stamp in honor of Juliette Gordon Low; the stamp was one
of the few dedicated to women; in addition, on October 28, 1979,
Juliette Low was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in
Seneca Falls, New York; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, takes just pride in recognizing and celebrating all that
Girl Scouts of the USA has done for local communities across the
country, and wishes them continued success in all their future
endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize May 23, 2017, as Girl Scout Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the aforementioned Girl Scouts and their Troop Leaders.