; Whereas, today, more than 50 million American women are Girl Scout alumnae and 2.6 million girls and adult volunteers are active members; Whereas, while Girl Scouts has evolved over the years, the fundamental experience of being part of the Girl Scout organization connects generations of women; Whereas only Girl Scouts offers girls a one-of-a-kind opportunity to become a Gold Award Girl Scout by engaging in leadership at the highest levels while addressing an issue they feel passionately about; Whereas the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, acknowledges each recipient’s power and dedication to not only bettering herself but to making the world a better place for others; and Whereas, from the boardroom to the courtroom to the caucus room, the need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need to empower themselves and assume their rightful role as leaders: Now, therefore, be it