Bill Text: GA HR717 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Women's History Month at the state capitol; March, 2009; recognize

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Passed) 2009-03-20 - House Read and Adopted [HR717 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HR717-Introduced.html

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09 LC 94 1150

House Resolution 717

By: Representatives Beasley-Teague of the 65th, Taylor of the 55th, Greene of the 149th, Davis of the 122nd, Jones of the 44th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing March, 2009, as Women's History Month at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, until the 1970's, women's history was a virtually unknown topic in schools and in the general public consciousness; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, Congress declared March to serve as "Women's History Month" to acknowledge the important role women have played in shaping America; and

WHEREAS, every year, during the month of March, hundreds of thousands of events are held throughout the country to acknowledge and recognize the amazing accomplishments of women, and the popularity of women's history celebration has sparked a new interest in uncovering women's forgotten heritage; and

WHEREAS, in a recent survey of 18 history textbooks, only 10 percent of the people identified were women, and although women constitute a majority of the nation's population, their achievements and contributions are underrepresented in museums and memorials; and

WHEREAS, National Women's History Month provides an opportunity to educate the general public about the significant role of women in American history and contemporary society; and

WHEREAS, knowledge of women's history is essential to encourage and inspire girls and women to think larger and bolder and provides all individuals with an expansive idea of what women can accomplish; and

WHEREAS, women have voted at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1980, and the number of women voters has exceeded the number of men voting in every presidential election since 1964; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, women outvoted men in every racial and ethnic group and among voters under the age of 65; and

WHEREAS, with passion and courage, women have taught us that when we band together to advocate for our highest ideals, we can advance our common well-being and strengthen the fabric of our nation; and

WHEREAS, great women leaders of the past, such as Ellen Swallow Richards, the first American woman to be accepted at a scientific school, and Maria Sanford, who led efforts to protect forest land near the Mississippi River which eventually became the first national forest, have inspired generations of women through their achievements; and

WHEREAS, women visionaries have challenged the status quo and broke social barriers, such as Rachel Carson, who exposed the dangers of pesticides to humans and the environment, and Grace Thorpe, who organized Native Americans to oppose the storage of nuclear waste on their reservations; and

WHEREAS, the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL/Women) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization composed of black women who are current and former elected officials who inspire women to take an active role in public policy issues and serve as a catalyst for reform; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2009, NOBEL/Women honored three dynamic and influential trailblazers who have made great advances on behalf of women, Mrs. Marie Barnes, Representative Carolyn Fleming Hugley, and Representative Pam Stephenson; and

WHEREAS, under the guidance of the National Women's History Project, educators, workplace program planners, parents and community organizations in thousands of American communities have turned National Women's History Month into a major focal celebration, and a springboard for celebrating women's history all year round.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize March, 2009, as Women's History Month at the state capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to members of the public and the press.