City Proclaims 2012 as 'Year of the Girl' to Honor 100 Years of Girl Scouts

Over a dozen girl scouts from local scout troops gathered in Mercer Island City Hall council chambers to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Mayor Bruce Bassett issued a City Hall proclaimation which declared 2012 as the "Year of the Girl" to honor the Girl Scouts, which has over 300 girls and 150 volunteers on Mercer Island participating, according to the proclaimation. The scouts appearing on Monday night had boxes of their signature cookies — including Tagalongs, Thin Mints and Samoas — to pass out to city councilmembers and staff.

The cookies went on sale locally March 2-18 and is the organization's largest and most well-known annual fundraising event. .

Here is the full text of the proclaimation:

"Whereas, March 12, 2012, marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, which began in 1912 when Savannah, Georgia native Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low started with 18 girls; and

Whereas, the award winning Girl Scout Leadership Program has expanded to help all girls regardless of their financial circumstances discover themselves and their values, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

Whereas, innovative programs such as Girl Scouts Fostering a Future reaches girls living in foster care; Girl Scouts Beyond Bars reaches girls whose parents are incarcerated; Girl Scouts Skills for Life serves girls who are living in public housing; and Girl Scouting in the School Day partners with schools to reach girls from low-income schools; and

Whereas, on Mercer Island over 300 girls and 150 dedicated adult volunteers and 18 life time members are proud to be a part of the Girl Scout tradition in our community through Science, Technology and Math programs, service projects to serve Mercer Island youth, improve parks, and help the elderly. Girl scouts continually evolve to address the changing societal challenges faced by our community, and pledge to live Forever Green through participating in monthly challenges to explore ways to lessen their environmental footprint; and

now, therefore, I, Bruce Bassett, Mayor of the City Mercer Island, Washington, do hereby proclaim 2012 as the Year of the Girl, and recognize the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for their 100 years of leadership and expertise and the Girl Scouts of our Mercer Island in King County for their courage, confidence, and character to act to make our world a better place."