SRES-120-119
Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: 03/10/2025 CR S1632)
Sponsored by Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
What it does
This is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the 113th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. It celebrates the organization's founder, Juliette Gordon Low, and acknowledges the organization's stated mission of providing girls with leadership development opportunities. The resolution carries no legal force, creates no new law, and does not authorize spending or change any existing statute.
Who benefits
Girl Scouts of the United States of America as an organization receives formal congressional recognition. The approximately 2.5 million current Girl Scout members and their families receive symbolic acknowledgment from the Senate. The legacy of founder Juliette Gordon Low is publicly honored. Youth-serving nonprofit organizations broadly may benefit from the visibility that congressional recognition provides.
Who is hurt
No specific group is directly or materially harmed by this resolution. Because it carries no legal force and involves no spending or regulatory change, there are no identifiable parties who experience a negative practical effect.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that congressional resolutions of recognition serve an important civic function by formally acknowledging organizations that have contributed to American life for over a century. Girl Scouts has served millions of girls across the country, and a Senate resolution provides a meaningful, low-cost way for Congress to affirm the value of youth development and civic participation. Recognizing Juliette Gordon Low also highlights the historical contributions of women leaders at a time when such recognition was rare, reinforcing the Senate's role in commemorating American history and culture.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that honorary resolutions of this kind represent an inefficient use of limited Senate floor time and legislative resources, regardless of the worthiness of the organization being recognized. Critics contend that Congress faces pressing legislative business — including budgets, national security, and economic policy — and that symbolic resolutions set a precedent for crowding the calendar with non-binding measures that have no practical effect on law or public welfare. Some also argue that singling out one youth organization for recognition over others raises questions of consistency and fairness.