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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		Girl Scouts Gold Award Luncheon, Washington, D.C.
DATE:		March 7, 2000

I'm pleased to join Girl Scout leaders from across the country as we celebrate and congratulate each of you "Girl Scout Gold Award" winners. The outstanding community service projects you completed in your quest for the gold reminds me of a woman who devoted her entire life to service, and who also wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic: Julia Ward Howe. Howe once asked the great abolitionist, Senator Charles Sumner, to help a certain struggling family in his state. The Senator thought a moment. He sighed. And then he said, "Julia, I've become so busy that I can no longer concern myself with individuals." Without missing a beat, Howe replied, "Charles, I find that quite remarkable--Even God isn't that busy."

I tell that story because I know that Howe's sentiment is certainly shared by our Gold Award winners. Each of you understands the importance of public service. You have shown extraordinary commitment to your communities. You have carried the spirit of service--and the human spirit--to every corner of our nation. And you have certainly earned the title "Young Women of Distinction."

Maybe it's not surprising that being here with Gold Award winners, I'm reminded of those other golden awards to be presented later this month: the Oscars. I've always believed that you can learn a lot from the movies. Two years ago, the Oscar winning Titanic taught us that--above all--you must change course when necessary. And last year, Shakespeare in Love proved that you actually could use the words "Shakespeare" and "fun" in the same sentence. But it's not just new films that can teach us something.

The movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, actually provides young people--including those of you here today--a formula for gaining the prize that really counts: The Title of Good Citizen. After all, being a good citizen must start with three basic things: brains, heart and courage.

When I say you need brains, I don't mean smarts. I mean you must have the wisdom to choose worthy work. As Teddy Roosevelt said, "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." You can pursue a career in public service, such as politics and government, teaching or social work. But you can also do "work worth doing" by infusing a sense of civic responsibility and service into any job...any career...any calling you choose. Don't just think of a job in terms of what you can earn...but in terms of what you can contribute.

Of course, while you're traveling down your career or life path, remember that you'll also need heart to be good citizens. By that, I mean you must always be willing to share your talents with others through public service. Now I know it may seem like I'm preaching to the choir. As I said earlier, all of you Gold Award winners have already learned the importance of community service. But I have to caution you. As you go on to college or career, you'll be struggling with a lot of new and competing--and even exciting--demands for your time and talent. So putting your heart into public service won't be very easy. When you're already trying to juggle and balance school, job and even family responsibilities, it becomes all too easy to overlook community responsibilities...and it becomes all too easy to get caught up in the usual excuses: That you don't have the time; that you can't be bothered; or that you already have a job--even a worthy one. But you can never overlook your community responsibilities if you want to be good citizens. Continue to engage in public service, to join community organizations, to stay involved, to make a contribution--even to become Girl Scout leaders. Always strive to be a voice for good...a voice for the voiceless...and a voice for change.

Of course, don't ever overlook the most obvious--and simplest--community responsibility: Stay involved in our political process. Some of you will be voting in your very first election this year--and the rest of you aren't far behind. On this "Super Tuesday," it's good to remember that, for the better part of our nation's history, women struggled and suffered for the right to vote...for the right to be heard...for the right to be counted. But today, too many young women--and men--take this right...this gift...this dignity for granted. All of you will be the architects of our society in the millennium. You need to stay informed about what's going on in your community and your country...speak up in political discussions...make sure your family fills out this year's census form...and when the time comes, let your voice be heard through your vote.

The final thing you need to be good citizens is courage. For you young women, that means the courage to always respect your bodies and yourselves. Avoid risky behaviors. Say no to smoking, drinking and drugs. Stay active...stay strong...and stay in school. More than anything else in this world, I know that each of you will be able to do this. I know that you will remember that you need brains, heart and courage to be good citizens. And I also know that you can't accomplish any of this on your own.

You'll need the continued guidance, support and encouragement of your parents, teachers, Girl Scout leaders, and other adults who already helped you go for the gold. After all, Dorothy never could've made it down the Yellow Brick Road by herself. Maybe that's the real message of the Wizard of Oz. It's a message that reminds us that young people need the love and support of adults to grow up to be good people...good parents--and especially good citizens. That's why I applaud the work of Girl Scouts USA. For 88 years, you've been helping girls grow to be strong and courageous women...you've taught them service, leadership, and strong moral values...and you've helped them reach the limits of themselves, to reach beyond themselves. I also applaud the partnership that Girl Scouts formed with my Department almost three years ago to promote our "Girl Power!" Campaign.

But if we really want to ensure that every girl can make the most of her life, there is still much that must be done, and all of us--government, the Girl Scouts, parents and every caring adult--need to work together. As President Matsui said at last year's Girl Scout National Council Session, we need "to take on whatever role is required to meet the needs of girls." And above all, we need to champion our young people. We need to treat all our children as if they were heroes...as if they were champions...as if they already won a gold medal.

A few moments ago, I said that, more than anything else in this world, I have faith in each of today's Gold Award winners. I have no doubt that one of you may discover new paths to better health...new routes to understanding the origins of the universe...or new trails in the global struggle for peace and equality. I have no doubt that each of you will always have "Girl Power." And I have no doubt that you will not only be good citizens--but great ones. I congratulate you and your families, and I wish you all the best during your stay in our nation's capital.