THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY McILVAINE SMITH, ADOLPH, BEYER, BISHOP, BOYLE, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, CHRISTIANA, CLYMER, CONKLIN, CURRY, CUTLER, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HARHART, HELM, HENNESSEY, JOSEPHS, KESSLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, MAJOR, MANN, MATZIE, McCALL, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MURT, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PHILLIPS, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SIPTROTH, M. SMITH, STABACK, SWANGER, THOMAS, VULAKOVICH AND YUDICHAK, MARCH 5, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 5, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing March 8, 2010, as "International Women's Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, March 8 is a day set aside around the world to

highlight accomplishments in women's universal fight for

equality, to raise awareness regarding women's issues and to

celebrate together the victories and achievements of women; and

WHEREAS, "International Women's Day" first emerged from

activities of labor movements at the turn of the 20th century in

North America and across Europe; and

WHEREAS, "International Women's Day" is recognized as an

official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,

Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia,

Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam where men honor

their mothers, wives, girlfriends and colleagues with flowers

and small gifts; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations has designated this year's

"International Women's Day" theme to be "Equal rights, equal

opportunities: Progress for all"; and

WHEREAS, There are more than three billion women in the

world, representing 51% of the world's population; and

WHEREAS, Women worldwide are participating in the world of

diplomacy and politics, contributing to the growth of economies

and improving the quality of the lives of their families,

communities and nations; and

WHEREAS, Women have been leaders, not only in securing the

rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the

abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial

labor movement, the civil rights movement and the peace

movement, all of which created a more fair and just society for

all; and

WHEREAS, Since the formation of the American colonies, women

in this Commonwealth have been in the forefront of each new

generation and its advancements; and

WHEREAS, Twenty-seven women currently hold a position in the

House of Representatives, comprising 13% of its membership; and

WHEREAS, These women and others like them exemplify

leadership, steadfastness and creativity in the progress of the

United States and this Commonwealth into the 21st century;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March

8, 2010, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania, and

call upon its residents to observe this day with appropriate

programs and activities.