Recognizing Dakota Partelow, Gold Award

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dakota Partelow. Dakota is a member of Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida, Troop 608, and has exemplified extraordinary leadership, innovative problem-solving, and a demonstrated commitment to making a lasting, positive impact, by earning the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are recognized as trailblazers who are willing to tackle the most pressing challenges facing their communities and the world with measurable, sustainable, and far-reaching results. To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, high school-age Girl Scouts must identify and investigate an issue they care about, devise a plan, and then lead a team of experts and community members to implement a project that produces lasting change. Over the course of 1-2 years, Gold Award Girl Scouts demonstrate significant initiative, commitment, and leadership, distinguishing them from their peers. Through their resourcefulness and perseverance, they embody the Girl Scout Law to truly make the world a better place.

Dakota's project in partnership with Valerie House was an excellent endeavor to address youth mental health and grief in our community. Dakota took action by researching youth mental health and grief, then redesigning the children's waiting room at Valerie House to create a more welcoming space. She repainted the room and assembled a resource box filled with toys and activities to support the well-being of grieving children. Her efforts will have a lasting positive impact on the community.

On behalf of the 17th Congressional District of Florida, congratulations to Dakota for achieving the highest distinction in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award. We thank Dakota for her leadership and making such a positive, lasting change in our community.

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