WHEREAS, Women of every background have made considerable contributions to the growth and development of our communities, states, country, and nations around the world; and
     WHEREAS, Women have played an essential and critical role in the social, cultural, and spiritual development of communities around the globe; and
     WHEREAS, Women have constituted significant portions of the labor force, whether working outside or inside the home, whether paid or as a volunteer, and have played an important and critical role in nurturing our children; and
     WHEREAS, Women have served as leaders of movements to secure individual rights and freedoms, and continue to lead efforts to eliminate discrimination and violence against all people and to promote equality, security, and peace; and
     WHEREAS, Women should be recognized for their historical and contemporary scientific, governmental, athletic, literary, and artistic accomplishments; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state has been a champion of women's rights and a national leader in promoting progress for women, having been one of the first states to grant suffrage to women, and having from 1993 to 2004 the highest proportion of women legislators of any state legislature in the history of the United States at 40.8% in 2000, and the third highest proportion of women legislators at 33.3% currently; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state is one of eight states to have a woman governor, Christine Gregoire; and
     WHEREAS, Washington has two women Senators representing Washington State in the United States Senate, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell; and
     WHEREAS, Since 1975, the United Nations has proclaimed March 8th to be International Women's Day;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington honor and celebrate the women of our state, country, and the world, and encourage all the citizens of this great state to celebrate March 8th as International Women's Day.