SENATE RESOLUTION

                                      1999-8616

By Senators Kohl‑Welles, Jacobsen, Eide, Rasmussen, Brown, Stevens, Roach, Costa, Gardner, Shin, Spanel, Long and Fraser

       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 can benefit from 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, Girls and women who participate in sports have high levels of self-esteem, less depression, and a reduced risk for heart disease, breast cancer, and other illnesses; 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, High school athletic teams in the state of Washington have achieved many accomplishments that serve as an inspiration to young women and promote the values of teamwork and cooperation.  Examples of successful high school teams include:  Ferris High School, winner of the 1998 WIAA State Volleyball Championship; Prairie High School, the WIAA State Basketball Champions; and Snohomish High School, the WIAA State Soccer Championship winners; and

       WHEREAS, Washington colleges and universities have fostered outstanding achievements in women's athletics, including:  The University of Washington Women's Crew Team, the winner of the 1998 NCAA Championships; the Western Washington University Fast-Pitch Softball Team, 1998 NCAA Division II National Champions; the Seattle Pacific University Women's Gymnastics Team, winner of both the women's team title and two individual event titles at the USA Gymnastics National Collegiate Championships; and the Eastern Washington University Volleyball Team, which was led to the 1998 NCAA Division I Final Four Volleyball Tournament by Kim Exner, the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year; and

       WHEREAS, The state of Washington has produced stellar women athletes, whose spirit, talent, and accomplishments distinguished them from others and were a source of inspiration and pride to all of us, 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 players Kate Starbird, Rhonda Smith, Tara Davis, Jamie Redd, and Camille Thompson; beach volleyball player Deb Richardson; and Olympic track star Kelly Blair; and

       WHEREAS, Although the state of Washington is fortunate to have Barbara Hedges serving as Athletic Director at the University of Washington, an 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 the Washington State Senate celebrate Washington Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 4, 1999, and encourage others to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1999-8616,

adopted by the Senate February 5, 1999.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate