SENATE RESOLUTION

                              8742

By Senators Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Jacobsen, Horn, Roach, Spanel, Johnson, Winsley, Rasmussen, Fraser and Kastama

     WHEREAS, Participation in athletics is one of the most effective ways for students 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 both males and females can benefit from both strong minds and strong bodies; 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 influence lifelong habits of physical fitness; and

     WHEREAS, Individuals who participate in sports have higher levels of self-esteem, less depression, and a reduced risk for disease and other illness; and

     WHEREAS, Girls and women historically have had fewer opportunities to participate in school and professional athletics, but have made major gains in participation in recent decades; and

     WHEREAS, Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in schools and colleges receiving federal funds, celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this year; and

     WHEREAS, The state of Washington honors the struggle, perseverance, and strength of women who have paved the way for Washington=s female athletes; and

     WHEREAS, 52,005 female middle school athletes participate on 3,202 teams, and 65,833 female high school athletes participate on 5,887 teams; and

     WHEREAS, Institutions of higher education continue to produce elite athletes with 2,350 female athletes participating with pride, commitment, and ability.  The participation of female collegiate athletes is among the highest in the country and is approaching that of male collegiate athletes.  Currently, there are 180 female athletes participating at Central Washington University, 177 female athletes participating at Eastern Washington University, 59 female athletes participating at The Evergreen  State College, 178 female athletes participating at Gonzaga University, 49 female athletes participating at Northwest College, 190 female athletes participating at Pacific Lutheran University, 123 female athletes participating at Seattle Pacific University, 101 female athletes participating at Seattle University, 48 female athletes participating at St. Martin=s College, 243 female athletes participating at the University of Puget Sound, 298 female athletes participating at the University of Washington, 230 female athletes participating at Washington State University, 184 female athletes participating at Western Washington University, 42 female athletes participating at Whitman College, and 48 female athletes participating at Whitworth College; and

     WHEREAS, Washington is honored to host the Seattle Storm, a professional womens= basketball sports team, and Head Coach Lin Dunn and the thirteen professional womens= athletes on the team, who have proven that womens= sports do not end at the collegiate level. 

     WHEREAS, The state of Washington is honored to have Barbara Hedges, athletic director at the University of Washington, paving the way for women in athletics administration.  Women across the country are underrepresented in leadership positions in representation of coaches, officials, and sports administrators, and there is a demonstrated 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, 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;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate Washington Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 6, 2002, 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 8742,

adopted by the Senate February 6, 2002.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate