[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 174 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 174

  Congratulating the people of Malaysia and honoring Datuk Siti Norma 
Binti Yaacob regarding her recent appointment as the first female Chief 
                       Judge of Malaya, Malaysia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 17, 2005

   Mr. Meeks of New York (for himself, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Ms. Eddie 
 Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Conyers, Mr. 
 Crowley, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Issa, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Bordallo, and Ms. 
 Solis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Congratulating the people of Malaysia and honoring Datuk Siti Norma 
Binti Yaacob regarding her recent appointment as the first female Chief 
                       Judge of Malaya, Malaysia.

Whereas during Women's History Month and International Women's Day held on March 
        8th, 2005, people around the world came together to commemorate women's 
        rights and peace as well as to honor their accomplishments;
Whereas on February 8, 2005, the Government of Malaysia for the first time 
        appointed a female judge, Datuk Siti Norma Binti Yaacob, as Chief Judge 
        of Malaya, the third highest position in the nation's judiciary;
Whereas Datuk Siti Norma Yaacob was also the only female High Court judge in the 
        1990s and went on to create history as the first woman to be appointed a 
        Court of Appeals judge in 1994, and subsequently a Federal Court judge 
        in 2001;
Whereas she made history as the first woman to have been appointed to an 
        executive position in the judiciary when she was appointed Senior 
        Assistant Registrar for the Federal Court in June 1963;
Whereas she was born on July 6, 1940, in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and 
        received her early education at Malay School Rahang, Convent of the Holy 
        Infant Jesus and King George V, Seremban, and later obtained the degree 
        of Barrister-at-Law of the Honorable Society of Gray's Inn, London;
Whereas she serves as a role model for millions of Malaysian women and thus 
        contributes tremendously to the advancement of women's rights and social 
        status in the world as well as Malaysia; and
Whereas the Government of Malaysia is committed in ensuring that its judiciary 
        system is independent, that women's rights and advancements are 
        promoted, and that human rights of every citizens are protected: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the people of Malaysia and honors Datuk 
        Siti Norma Yaacob on becoming the first female Chief Judge of 
        Malaya, the third highest position in the nation's judiciary;
            (2) recognizes the important contribution Datuk Siti Norma 
        Yaacob has made to Malaysia's judiciary system and to the 
        advancement of women's right in Malaysia; and
            (3) commends the Government of Malaysia for its effort to 
        further pursue the emancipation and empowerment of women and 
        protect the rights of women in Malaysia.
                                 <all>