WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today spoke on the floor of the U.S. House to recognize the contributions of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on the organization’s 107th anniversary. Spanberger currently serves as a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Central Virginia for her daughter’s troop.

This week 107 years ago, Juliet Gordon Low founded the first Girl Scout troop. Today, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. serves approximately 2.5 million girls and adult volunteers. In addition, there over 50 million Girl Scout alumnae nationwide—including Spanberger and more than 58-percent of the women currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

During her speech, Spanberger spoke about her personal connection with the Girl Scouts, the organization’s significance in preparing young girls for leadership, and the continued need for the organization’s focus on character, public service, and citizenship.

Click here to watch her full speech. A full transcript of her remarks is below:

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I rise today in celebration of the Girls Scouts of the United States. On this day in 1912, the Girl Scouts of America was officially launched in Savannah, Georgia with a meeting of just 18 girls.

Now—107 year later, the Girl Scouts have engaged and inspired generations of young women—and empowered millions to serve their communities.

More than 50 million women are alumni of the Girl Scouts. 58-percent of the women who serve in Congress were Girl Scouts. 72-percent of the women who serve in the Senate were Girl Scouts as young women.

My daughters and I have been lucky enough to be a small part of this rich history, and for the past five years I have served as a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s troop. 2.5 million girls and adults nationwide participate in this tremendous program.

In my time as a Girl Scout leader, I’ve gotten to know so many bright and talented young women, to learn from them and with them, and to use the tools and lessons the Girl Scouts has to instill within these future leaders the fundamental belief in the power of service, the value of character, and their importance in our community.

Because as storied as this organization’s past is, it will always be focused on the future—that is the purpose of Girl Scouts.

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Spanberger recently met with Girl Scouts CEO Sylvia Acevedo. During their meeting, Acevedo shared details about the Girl Scouts’ cybersecurity partnerships and strengthened commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

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