SENATE RESOLUTION

                                      1998-8692

By Senators Kohl, Jacobsen, Wood, Wojahn, Winsley, West, Hale, Brown, Bauer, McAuliffe, Loveland, Johnson, Spanel, Prince, Goings, Rasmussen, Haugen, Prentice, Fraser, B. Sheldon, Fairley, Thibaudeau and Zarelli

       WHEREAS, Athletics is one of the most effective ways for girls and 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 girls 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, workplace, and 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 girls and women through athletics help break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice; and

       WHEREAS, The history of girls and 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 members of the Seattle Reign, one of eight teams from the American Basketball League, the premier women's basketball league in the United States, 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, The Seattle Reign consists of outstanding athletes such as Kate Starbird, 1997 Naismith College Player of the Year, and Astou Ndaiye who led her college team to four national championships, and Shalonda Enis, two-time Kodak All-American, the only rookie to be named to the ABL Western Conference All Star Team this year and MVP of the 1997 All Star Game, and Linda Godby, the first professional female player to dunk in the ABL competition where she received third place, and Val Whiting, two-time Kodak All-American, and Joy Holmes, a Kodak All-American; and

       WHEREAS, The state of Washington has produced stellar women athletes among whom are 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; beach volleyball player Deb Richardson; and Olympic track star Kelly Blair; whose spirit, talent, and accomplishments distinguished them from others and were a source of inspiration and pride to all of us; and

       WHEREAS, Although the state of Washington is fortunate to have Barbara Hedges serving as Athletic Director at the University of Washington, a NCAA Division 1 school, 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 5, 1998, be designated as Washington 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 1998-8692,

adopted by the Senate February 4, 1998.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate