III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 55 

Designating each of February 4, 2009, and February 3, 2010, as ‘‘National 

Women and Girls in Sports Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 

Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mrs. MURRAY, and Ms. MIKULSKI) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating each of February 4, 2009, and February 3, 

2010, as ‘‘National Women and Girls in Sports Day’’. 

Whereas women’s athletics are one of the most effective avenues available for the women of the United States to develop self-discipline, initiative, confidence, and leadership 

skills; 

Whereas sports and fitness activities contribute to emotional 

and physical well-being; 

Whereas women need strong bodies as well as strong minds; 

Whereas the history of women in sports is rich and long, but 

there has been little national recognition of the significance of the athletic achievements of women; 

Whereas the number of women in leadership positions as 

coaches, officials, and administrators has declined drasVerDate Nov 24 2008 00:22 Feb 26, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR55.IS SR55

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•SRES 55 IS 

tically since the passage of title IX of the Education 

Amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92–318; 86 Stat. 

373); 

Whereas there is a need to restore women to leadership positions in athletics to ensure a fair representation of the 

abilities of women and to provide role models for young 

female athletes; 

Whereas the bonds built between women through athletics 

help to break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice; 

Whereas the communication and cooperation skills learned 

through athletic experience play a key role in the contributions of an athlete to her home, workplace, and society; 

Whereas women’s athletics has produced such winners as Flo 

Hyman, whose spirit, talent, and accomplishments distinguished her above others and who exhibited the true 

meaning of fairness, determination, and team play; 

Whereas parents feel that sports are equally important for 

boys and girls and that sports and fitness activities provide important benefits to girls who participate; 

Whereas early motor-skill training and enjoyable experiences 

of physical activity strongly influence life-long habits of 

physical fitness; 

Whereas the performances of female athletes in the Olympic 

Games are a source of inspiration and pride to the people 

of the United States; 

Whereas the athletic opportunities for male students at the 

collegiate and high school levels remain significantly 

greater than those for female students; and 


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•SRES 55 IS 

Whereas the number of funded research projects focusing on 

the specific needs of women athletes is limited and the 

information provided by these projects is imperative to 

the health and performance of future women athletes: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates each of February 4, 2009, and 

3 February 3, 2010, as ‘‘National Women and Girls in 

4 Sports Day’’; and 

5 (2) encourages State and local jurisdictions, ap6 propriate Federal agencies, and the people of the 

7 United States to observe ‘‘National Women and 

8 Girls in Sports Day’’ with appropriate ceremonies 

9 and activities. 

Æ 


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