President Obama has signed the Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act authorizing the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women across the nation whose lives have been influenced by Girl Scouting.
“The Commemorative Coin is a wonderful honor for the Girl Scouts,” said Trish Coghlan, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA). “Congress only allows the minting of two coins a year and this is a great way to recognize the impact the Girl Scout Movement has on million of girls and women. GSNCA is grateful to Rep. Roger Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for their support in co-sponsoring the bill.”
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions made the following comments today regarding the enactment of the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act:
“I’m delighted that Congress overwhelmingly approved the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act, and the president signed it into law. I learned life lessons in scouting that have served me well through my adult years, and are especially important to me during my work in the U.S. Senate. Scouting organizations are a unique opportunity for our young people to learn the leadership skills that will stay with them as they become the leaders of tomorrow. When they are minted in 2013, these commemorative coins will mark the beginning of the Girl Scouts second century of offering that opportunity.”
The legislation directs the U.S. Mint to produce 350,000 silver coins. Ten dollars from the sale of each coin will go to GSUSA to help fund much-needed renovations at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia. The bill also calls for the Secretary of the Treasury, in collaboration with the GSUSA and the Commission of Fine Arts, to design the coin in a manner “emblematic of the centennial of Girl Scouts.” The coin will be minted and sold in 2013, marking the end of Girl Scouts’ yearlong centennial celebration and kicking off a new century of leadership and service to girls.
“Girl Scout programs help young girls here in Alabama and throughout the country to build good character and achieve their goals,” states Congressman Spencer Bachus. “The Girl Scouts are a positive force for young women and their families and communities, and I was pleased to support the creation of this commemorative coin celebrating their 100th anniversary.”
Girl Scouts was founded on March 12, 1912, when Juliette Gordon Low organized the first two troops consisting of 18 members in Savannah, Georgia. Today, Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary association for women and girls in the United States. More than 50 million women have been Girl Scouts, including 58 percent of the women in Congress.
The bill in the House of Representatives (H.R. 621), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), easily passed by a voice vote and with more than 300 cosponsors on October 15. A companion Senate bill (S. 451), sponsored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), also passed unanimously on October 19.
“The Girls Scouts is a wonderful experience that helps today’s girls learn the strong leadership skills needed for their futures,” Congressman Mike Rogers states. “I am pleased to cosponsor the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act as a way to show my great respect for this important program and its participants.”
The minting of the coin is only one of several events Girl Scouts has planned for its yearlong centennial celebration, local council celebrations and girl projects that will commemorate our history.
