IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 96
Recognizing the significance of African American women in the United States 
scientific community. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 15, 2005
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Ms. LEE, Mr. PAYNE, 
Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. OWENS, Mr. RANGEL, 
Ms. NORTON, Mr. HONDA, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. CORRINE 
BROWN of Florida, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. 
MCKINNEY, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, and Mr. SERRANO) submitted the fol-
lowing concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Science 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the significance of African American women in 
the United States scientific community.
Whereas African American women, once considered nontradi-
tional participants in the United States scientific commu-
nity, have become an indispensable part of the new tech-
nology society; 
Whereas although women comprise approximately 25 percent 
of the 427,740 individuals employed in the United States 
workforce who hold a science and engineering doctoral 
degree, African American women comprise less than one 
percent of such individuals;
•HCON 96 IH 
Whereas a skilled workforce is the essential fuel to propel the 
United States economy and ensure a high quality of life, 
and it is absolutely critical to the success of the economy 
to produce a scientifically literate workforce; 
Whereas for these reasons, it is crucial for the United States 
to continue to aggressively recruit more minority and 
women students into careers in science and technology; 
Whereas to improve the numbers of African American youth 
pursuing science, especially young women, it is crucial to 
provide strong scientific minds for them to look up to and 
emulate; 
Whereas very little literature documents African American 
women and their place in science; 
Whereas commemorating the achievements of African Amer-
ican women at the very top of the performance curve 
demonstrates to the world the importance of diversity in 
the workforce; and 
Whereas Dr. Ruth Ella Moore (who in 1933 became the first 
African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in natural 
science from the Ohio State University), Dr. Roger 
Arliner Young (who in 1940 became the first African 
American woman to receive a Ph.D. in zoology from the 
University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Euphemia Lofton 
Haynes (who in 1943 became the first African American 
woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the 
Catholic University of America), Dr. Shirley Jackson 
(who in 1973 became the first African American woman 
to receive a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts In-
stitute of Technology), and Dr. Mae Jemison (a physi-
cian and the first African American woman in space) rep-
resent only a few of the African American women who
•HCON 96 IH 
have broken through many barriers to achieve greatness 
in science: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress acknowledges and recognizes 
the significant achievements and contributions of African 
American women scientists, mathematicians, and inven-
tors and supports the establishment of a special day on 
which these great minds may be honored and esteemed.
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