SENATE RESOLUTION

                                 1997-8610

By Senators Kohl, Jacobsen, Hale, McAuliffe, Prince, Brown, Zarelli, Thibaudeau, Bauer, Long, Winsley, Rasmussen, Wood, Swecker, Morton, Wojahn, Fairley, Johnson, Franklin, Fraser, Finkbeiner and Spanel

      WHEREAS, Athletics is one of the most effective ways for women in the United States to develop leadership skills, self-discipline, initiative, and confidence; and

      WHEREAS, Sport and fitness activity contributes to emotional and physical well-being, and women need both strong minds and strong bodies; and

      WHEREAS, The communication and cooperation skills learned through athletic experience play a key role in the contributions of athletes to the home, to the work place, and to society; and

      WHEREAS, Early motor skill training and enjoyable experiences of physical activity strongly influence lifelong habits of physical fitness; and

      WHEREAS, The bonds built among women through athletics help break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice; and

      WHEREAS, The history of women in sports is rich and long, but there has been little national recognition of the significance of the athletic achievements of women; and

      WHEREAS, The state of Washington has produced women athletic winners such as Olympic skier Debbie Armstrong, ice skater Rosalynn Sumners, track stars Doris Heritage, Gail Devers, and Gitte Karloshoj, swimmer Mary Wayte, synchronized swimmer Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, marathon runner Lisa Weidenbach, soccer players Shannon Higgins and Michelle Akers, team handball player Dawn Allinger, rowers Roberta Blanda, Hana Dariusova, Sabrina Telenska, Jennifer Devine, Karen Kraft, Elizabeth McCagg, and Mary McCagg, kayaker Shelly Oates, discus thrower Aretha Hill, javelin thrower Erica Wheeler, cyclist Rebecca Twigg, basketball player Camille Thompson, and beach volleyball player Deb Richardson, whose spirit, talent, and accomplishments distinguished them from others and were a source of inspiration and pride to all of us; and

      WHEREAS, The Seattle Reign, one of eight teams from the American Basketball League, the premier women's basketball league in the United States and Tara Davis and Rhonda Smith, two former University of Washington basketball players who are members of the Seattle Reign, provide a vital and necessary contribution to the state of Washington by serving as positive role models and mentors to young women and girls; and

      WHEREAS, Women are underrepresented in the leadership positions of coaches, officials, and administrators, and there is a need for women to serve in these positions to ensure a fair representation of the abilities of women and to provide role models for young female athletes; and

      WHEREAS, Although the athletic opportunities for female students at the college and high school level have improved because of federal and state gender equity laws, the participation rates of male and female athletes at the college and high school levels are still not equitable; and

      WHEREAS, The number of funded research projects focusing on the specific needs of women athletes is limited, and the information provided by the projects is imperative to the health and performance of future women athletes;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That February 6, 1997, be designated as National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and Governor Locke is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon local and state jurisdictions to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8610,

adopted by the Senate February 5, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate