INDIANAPOLIS -
It started with a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts and has now ballooned into allegations that have Democrats and Republicans alike shaking their heads.
One Republican lawmaker has gone so far as to label the Girl Scouts a "radicalized" organization.
State Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) refused to sign on to a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girls Scouts, claiming that the group is a "radicalized organization" with connections to Planned Parenthood.
On Tuesday, the head of Planned Parenthood of Indiana made a statement saying that the organization "does not produce nor distribute the materials Rep. Morris referenced."
Eyewitness News tried to speak with Morris about his statement, but he bolted from the House of Representatives Tuesday without commenting.
Earlier Tuesday, he did speak to reporters - but did not elaborate on his statements about the Girl Scouts.
"My problem is on a personal level with my family and our beliefs and my wife and I pulled our daughters out of Girl Scouts effective yesterday...because of my personal beliefs, what my family stands for. We have other issues that we need to move on to and that's where we're at. That's what we're discussing here today. The rest of the legislative session and the bills that we have so we can do the people's work," he said.
At the same time that Rep. Morris was dashing out of the chamber, Girl Scout Troop 1604 in Carmel was saying the Pledge of Allegiance and starting their meeting.
The meeting started with the girls, ages ten and eleven, talking about what they have learned from Girl Scouts.
"I have learned how different toddlers and infants need different toys," said Alyssa Boldt, Girl Scout.
"How to help the environment and the community," said Maddie Snyder, Girl Scout.
That is a far cry from Rep. Morris told fellow Republican lawmakers why he could not support a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. The Fort Wayne lawmaker said Girl Scouts are a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood.
"We have no relationship with Planned Parenthood. Doesn't exist. No formal relationship. No money changes hands. We have no relationship. That is the bottom line," said Cathy Ritchie, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
"I am appalled," said group leader Paula Snyder. "I was a scout, my daughter was a scout and now my granddaughter."
On the floor of the House, Girl Scout cookies were everywhere the day after Rep. Morris's allegations, which he says he based on information he found on the internet. In fact, there was a package next to the speaker's podium.
