WHEREAS, Participation in athletics is one of the most effective ways for girls and women in the United States to develop leadership skills, discipline, initiative, and self-confidence; and
     WHEREAS, Sport and fitness activities contribute to girls' and women's emotional and physical well-being; 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 skills training and enjoyable experiences of physical activity strongly encourage enduring habits of physical fitness; and
     WHEREAS, Girls and women who participate in sports tend to have higher levels of self-esteem, fewer incidence of 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 to break down the social barriers of prejudice and discrimination; and
     WHEREAS, The National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition, established in 1987, has declared February 4, 2009, to be National Girls and Women in Sports Day; and
     WHEREAS, 60,703 female athletes participate in high school sports in Washington, constituting 42 percent of the total number of athletes; and
     WHEREAS, High school girls' athletic teams in the state of Washington have achieved many accomplishments that serve as an inspiration to young women to promote the values of teamwork and cooperation; and
     WHEREAS, Washington high schools foster outstanding achievements in girls' and women's sports, such as volleyball, soccer, tennis, softball, and basketball. These include state volleyball champions: Seattle Academy, Fife, Everett, Skyline, Colfax, and LaCross/Washtucna; and state soccer champions: King's, Tumwater, Shadle Park, Lewis and Clark, and LaSalle; and state tennis champions: Freeman, Meade, Davenport, Lynden, Kamiakin, and Central Kitsap; and state softball champions: Eastlake, Kennedy, Othello, Montesano, Toutle Lake, and Touchet; and state basketball champions: Lewis & Clark, Auburn Riverside, River Ridge, Lynden Christian, La Salle, and Garfield-Palouse; and
     WHEREAS, Lindsey Marchand of the Peninsula High School swim team won the 100 meter butterfly at the Junior National Championships by setting a new meet record; and
     WHEREAS, Institutions of higher education continue to produce elite athletes competing with pride, commitment, and passion. The participation of Washington female collegiate athletes is among the highest in the country at 48 percent of total athletes. Currently, there are 174 female athletes at Whitworth College, 430 female athletes at the University of Washington, 280 female athletes at Washington State University, 60 female athletes at The Evergreen State College, 148 female athletes at Seattle University, 82 female athletes at St. Martin's University, 165 female athletes at Eastern Washington University, 210 female athletes at Western Washington University, 191 female athletes at Central Washington University, 192 female athletes at Gonzaga University, 103 female athletes at Whitman College, 177 female athletes at Pacific Lutheran University, 263 female athletes at the University of Puget Sound, and 136 female athletes at Seattle Pacific University; 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; and
     WHEREAS, Washington colleges and universities have fostered outstanding achievements by women in sports; and
     WHEREAS, The University of Washington women's cross country team won the NCAA Division I Championship, with 5 runners finishing in the Top 40, with team member Kendra Schaaf named as the Pac-10 Conference Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year; and
     WHEREAS, The Western Washington University women's rowing team won its fourth straight NCAA Division II National Championship, a first in NCAA history; and
     WHEREAS, The Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team won the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship, with team member Meredith Teague named the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year; and
     WHEREAS, The Gonzaga University women's basketball team won the West Coast Conference Championship, with team member Heather Bowman named the West Coast Conference player of the year, and team member Stephanie Hawk became Gonzaga's second athlete to earn All-American honors from the Associated Press; and
     WHEREAS, The Eastern Washington University volleyball team won the Big Sky Conference Title, playing in the Big Sky title match for eight of the last nine years, and finishing in the top three of the league standings for the 13th straight year; and
     WHEREAS, The Whitworth College women's swim team placed first in the Northwest Conference, 10th in NCAA Division III, with Samantha Kephart and Natalie Turner achieving All-American honors; and
     WHEREAS, The University of Puget Sound women's soccer team won its seventh straight Northwest Conference title, finishing the season undefeated; and
     WHEREAS, Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific University won the cross country NCAA Division II National Championship for the second year in a row; and
     WHEREAS, Courtney Schneider of the Western Washington University volleyball team was voted the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Female Athlete of the year; and
     WHEREAS, Ebba Jungmark of Washington State University won the women's High Jump at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championship, clearing the bar at 6 feet 2 ¼ inches; and
     WHEREAS, The Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team won the Northwest Conference Championship, with player Beth Hanna named the Northwest Conference Volleyball Player of the Year for the second year in a row; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State was proud to have participants at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China; and
     WHEREAS, Melanie Roach of Bonney Lake, WA set a U.S. record in women's weightlifting at the Olympic Games in Beijing, by lifting a total of 193 kilograms (425.5 pounds) in the women's 53 kilogram division; and
     WHEREAS, Hope Solo a former student at the University of Washington won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, playing goalie for the U.S. women's soccer team, she and the team shut out Brazil 1-0 in the final match; and
     WHEREAS, Washington is honored to host the Seattle Storm, the only women's professional basketball team in the Northwest and the first major professional sports team in Seattle to bring home a championship in more than 25 years; and
     WHEREAS, Seattle Storm team members Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird were named to the All-WNBA second team; and
     WHEREAS, Four local women with a history of civic, community, and Title IX involvement, Force 10 Hoops L.L.C., secured an exclusive option to purchase the Seattle Storm and keep the team in Seattle, making Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder, Anne Levinson, and Dawn Trudeau among the few women owners of any professional sports team anywhere in the nation;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor Washington girls and women in sports on February 4, 2009, and encourage others to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington State Senate and all of the aforementioned athletes and their respective institutions.