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 skill training and enjoyable experiences of physical activity strongly encourage enduring habits of physical fitness; and
     WHEREAS, Girls and women who participate in sports have higher levels of self-esteem, fewer incidence of depression, and a reduced risk for heart disease, breast cancer, and other illness; and
     WHEREAS, The bonds built among girls and women through athletics help to break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice; and
     WHEREAS, The National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition, established in 1987, has declared February 6, 2008, to be National Girls and Women in Sports Day; and
     WHEREAS, 68,232 female athletes participate in high school sports and athletic activities 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 and soccer. These include state volleyball champions: Mead, Hanford, Selah, Colfax, LaConner, and Tekoa-Oakesdale; and state soccer champions: Eastlake, Issaquah, Fife, and Meridian; and state tennis champions: Lewis and Clark, West Valley (Yakima), Sequim, Lynden, Bush, and Sprague-Harrington; 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 136 female athletes at Whitworth College, 346 female athletes at the University of Washington, 46 female athletes at The Evergreen State College, 119 female athletes at Seattle University, 78 female athletes at St. Martin's University, 181 female athletes at Eastern Washington University, 195 female athletes at Western Washington University, 209 female athletes at Washington State University, 107 female athletes at Whitman College, and 120 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, Student-athletes graduate at a higher rate than nonathlete college students (62 percent compared to 60 percent, respectively); and
     WHEREAS, Washington colleges and universities have fostered outstanding achievements by women in sports; and
     WHEREAS, The Western Washington University women's volleyball team won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship for the fourth time in seven years, with team member Courtney Schneider named GNAC player of the year, establishing school and GNAC records of 851 season digs and 2,695 career digs; and
     WHEREAS, The Western Washington University softball team won their first GNAC title, with team member Liza Teichler named softball's GNAC Player of the Year and Jackie Quint named GNAC pitcher of the year; and
     WHEREAS, University of Washington female athletes have also been recognized for outstanding achievements this year. These include Katelin Snyder, coxswain for the Women's Varsity 8 Crew team, who led her boat to an undefeated season and the 2007 IRA National Championship, Anita Campbell and Katie Follett who are the eighth and ninth women in Husky track history to achieve All-American status, and volleyball players Christal Morrison, Jessica Swarbrick, and Tamari Miyashiro, who all earned All-American honors; and
     WHEREAS, Gonzaga University Women's Basketball team won their first WCC tournament title and first NCAA tournament bid; and
     WHEREAS, Stephanie Hawk was the first Gonzaga University athlete to earn All-American honors from the Associated Press; and
     WHEREAS, Kelsey Penn and Lynde Clarke of Central Washington University have both been named to the GNAC Women's Soccer Second Team; and
     WHEREAS, Kelli Spaulding of Central Washington University has been named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Division II All-West Region First Team; and
     WHEREAS, Kristen Berndnt, Corina Gabbert, Kristen Mittlesteadt, and Alisa Larson-Xu of Whitman College received NCAA Division III All-West Region honors; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State University women's soccer team earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award for 2006-07 marking the third time in the last four years the Cougars have received the honor; and
     WHEREAS, Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific University has been named the 2007 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year; 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, Four local women with a history of civic, community, and Title IX involvement - Force 10 Hoops L.L.C. - have secured an exclusive option to purchase the Storm and keep the team in Seattle, making them 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 6, 2008, 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 the aforementioned athletes and their respective institutions.