THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, BRADFORD, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIS, EVERETT, GOODMAN, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, M. O'BRIEN, READSHAW, SANTONI, VEREB AND YOUNGBLOOD, FEBRUARY 13, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 13, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing support for establishing a National Women's History

Museum in Washington, DC.

WHEREAS, In 1987, the Congress of the United States

designated the month of March as "Women's History Month" to

acknowledge the important role women have played in shaping

America; and

WHEREAS, Although women constitute a majority of the nation's

population their achievements and contributions are

underrepresented in museums and memorials; and

WHEREAS, Women comprise only 10% of all persons identified in

a recent survey of 18 history textbooks; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the President's Commission on the

Celebration of Women in American History called for a women's

history museum to be established on the National Mall in

Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, The National Women's History Museum (NWHM), founded

in 1996, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational institution

dedicated to preserving, interpreting and celebrating the

diverse historic contributions of women and integrating the

heritage of women fully into our nation's history; and

WHEREAS, The NWHM seeks a site on or close to the National

Mall and in close proximity to the White House and United States

Capitol Building; and

WHEREAS, The NWHM has identified federally owned property for

sale near the National Mall; and

WHEREAS, Legislation is currently pending in Congress seeking

authorization for the NWHM to purchase this property at fair

market value with privately raised funds; and

WHEREAS, No Federal funds are being requested for the

purchase of this land; and

WHEREAS, There are museums dedicated to flight, postage

stamps, buildings and many other important individuals and

issues of interest but not to women, who comprise 51% of our

nation's population; and

WHEREAS, The NWHM will showcase the full history of women in

the United States and the significant contributions they have

made and continue to make in the marketplace, arts and sciences,

government, entertainment, education, home and community; and

WHEREAS, A coalition of 43 women's organizations representing

8 million women, including the National Foundation for Women

Legislators, supports the efforts of the NWHM to establish a

permanent residence near the National Mall, the most prominent

location for museums in our nation's capital; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania request that the Congress support

the NWHM's efforts to secure a permanent home in our nation's

capital for a museum highlighting the important role women have

played in shaping this great nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each

member of Congress from Pennsylvania.