WHEREAS, Participation in athletics is one of the most effective ways for girls and women in the United States to develop leadership skills, discipline, initiative, and self-confidence; and
     WHEREAS, Sport and fitness activities contribute to girls' and women's emotional and physical well-being; and
     WHEREAS, The communication, competition, and cooperation skills learned through athletic experience play a key role in the contributions of athletes to the home, workplace, and society; and
     WHEREAS, Early motor skill training and enjoyable experiences of physical activity strongly encourage enduring habits of physical fitness; and
     WHEREAS, Girls and women who participate in sports have higher levels of self-esteem, fewer incidences of depression, and a reduced risk for heart disease, breast cancer, and other illness; and
     WHEREAS, The bonds built among girls and women through athletics help to break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice; and
     WHEREAS, 60,447 female athletes participate in high school sports and athletic activities in Washington, constituting 47 percent of the total number of athletes; and
     WHEREAS, High school girls' athletic teams in the state of Washington have achieved many accomplishments that serve as an inspiration to young women to promote the values of teamwork and cooperation; and
     WHEREAS, Washington high schools foster outstanding achievements in girls' and women's sports, such as volleyball and soccer. These include state volleyball champions: Mead, Bishop Blanchet, Selah, Colfax, LaConner, Sprague/Harrington; and state soccer champions: Woodinville, Issaquah, Archbishop Murphy, and Seattle Christian; and
     WHEREAS, This past Saturday Tacoma's Wilson High School girls' bowling team won its second consecutive state title; and
     WHEREAS, Institutions of higher education continue to produce elite athletes competing with pride, commitment, and passion. The participation of Washington female collegiate athletes is among the highest in the country at 48 percent of total athletes. Currently, there are 203 female athletes at Washington State University, 105 female athletes at Seattle University, 60 female athletes at The Evergreen State College, 120 female athletes at Seattle Pacific University, 200 female athletes at Western Washington University, 327 female athletes at University of Washington, and 146 female athletes at Whitworth College; and
     WHEREAS, The number of funded research projects focusing on the specific needs of female athletes is limited and the information provided by the projects is imperative to the health and performance of future female athletes; and
     WHEREAS, Student-athletes graduate at a higher rate than non-athlete college students (62 percent compared to 60 percent, respectively); and
     WHEREAS, Washington colleges and universities have fostered outstanding achievements by women in sports, including Seattle University students Ashley Porter, Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year for women's soccer; Lindsey Gall, NCAA All-American in swimming for the 100-meter butterfly; and Anna Vanha, NCAA All American in swimming for the 200-meter butterfly; and
     WHEREAS, Ginnie Powell, class of 2002 at Rainier Beach High School and NCAA All-American and track champion at USC, was one of ten athletes honored at the 2006 Seattle P-I Sports Star of the Year Awards Banquet; and
     WHEREAS, Whitworth College has outstanding female athletes such as Jo Sonnett, Pitcher of the Year in women's softball; and Samantha Kephart, winner of two national swimming titles and holder of the national record in the 200-meter butterfly; and
     WHEREAS, The University of Washington women's volleyball team marked its third consecutive year in reaching the Final Four, with four team members receiving All-American honors: Courtney Thompson, Cristal Morrison, Alesha Deesing and Jessica Swarbrick; and
     WHEREAS, University of Washington female athletes have been recognized for outstanding achievements. These include Amy Lisa, NCAA champion in 1500 meters in women's track and field; and Paige MacKenzie, winner of the PAC-10 and NCAA West Regional Championships in women's golf; and
     WHEREAS, Western Washington University has four outstanding All-American female athletes, including: Tina Donahue (Basketball), Lindsay Mann-King (Rowing), Courtney Schneider (Volleyball), and Katja Trygg (Golf); and
     WHEREAS, Eastern Washington University women's volleyball team participated in its seventh straight Big Sky Conference Championship match in 2006; and
     WHEREAS, The women's basketball team of Gonzaga University has won two consecutive regular season West Coast Conference Championships; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State University women's rowing team placed fourth in the NCAA National Championship, the highest placement ever for the school; and
     WHEREAS, Jane LaRiviere, Washington State University, received Coach of the Year honors for both the West Region and PAC-10 conferences; and
     WHEREAS, The Evergreen State College women's soccer team reached the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Region 1 championships for the first time; and Evergreen athlete Carly Stewart received All-American honors in women's soccer; and
     WHEREAS, Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, who was voted an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year, and center Lauren Jackson, who was voted an All-Star for the fifth consecutive year, are both recognized by fans for their outstanding play and both were named to the WNBA All-Decade Team;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize Washington Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 6, 2007, and encourage others to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington State Senate and all the aforementioned athletes and their respective institutions.