REFERENCE TITLE: ratification; equal rights amendment

State of Arizona Senate Forty-ninth Legislature Second Regular Session 2010

SCR 1053

Introduced by Senators Rios, Burton Cahill, Lopez: Garcia

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

ratifying the proposed amendment to the constitution of the united states; providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be ABRIDGED by the united states or any STATE on account of sex.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

Whereas, United States House Resolution 757, enacted October 18, 2007, requires the United States House of Representatives to take any legislative action necessary to verify the ratification of the equal rights amendment as part of the Constitution if the legislatures of three additional states ratify the equal rights amendment; and

Whereas, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia are among the states that have not yet ratified the equal rights amendment; and

Whereas, our nation's increased interaction with nations whose cultures do not recognize basic human dignity for women and fail to provide protection for women under their laws makes it imperative that we codify, in writing, our own cultural beliefs that men and women share equal protections under our legal system as a testament for not only ourselves but for the world to revere; and

Whereas, we can no longer live under the assumption that a "generosity of spirit" in the interpretation of our laws will always include the equality of women and men without the benefit of a written contract that ensures equality where mere interpretation of intention now exists; and

Whereas, time has matured our understanding of the world and allowed us to embrace the equal rights amendment to the United States Constitution with commitment and resolve; and

Whereas, Arizona needs to be a leader in support of equal rights for men and women rather than waiting for another state to take a leadership role in accomplishing the ratification of the equal rights amendment; and

Whereas, the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:

Article __

Section 1.  Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Section 2.  The Congress shall have the power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this article.

Section 3.  This amendment shall take effect two years after ratification.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

1.  That this proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States is ratified.

2.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit a copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.