SENATE RESOLUTION

                                 2000-8715

By Senator Kohl‑Welles, Wojahn, Jacobsen, Fairley, Patterson, Eide, Horn, Heavey, Spanel, Sheahan, McAuliffe, Roach, Brown, Fraser, Long, Sheldon, B., Franklin, and Rasmussen

      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 activities contribute 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 increased levels of self-esteem, less depression, and 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; and

      WHEREAS, Washington colleges and universities have fostered outstanding achievements in women's athletics, including All-American University of Washington softball player Becky Newbry, who has been named this month as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Women=s Sports Star of the Year and the four other nominees, UW Athletic Director Barbara Hedges, U. S. National Team weight lifters Melanie Kosoff-Roach and Lea Forman, and Puyallup American record-setting swimmer Megan Quann; 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, Accomplished Washington women athletes are helping other highly talented, but underfunded athletes through encouragement, promotion and financial support, such as U. S. Open Womens= 58 Kgs Olympic Weightlifting Champion Melanie Kosoff-Roach who has established the Big Mountain Association to assist other young and promising athletes; 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, such as Michelle Akers, the star midfielder for the World Cup champion U.S. women=s soccer team; 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 9, 2000, 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 2000-8715,

adopted by the Senate February 9, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate