IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 573 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2012 Ms. Woolsey (for herself, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Moore, Mr. Olver, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Norton, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Levin, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Farr, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Speier, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Kind, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Sires, and Ms. Schakowsky) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month.

Whereas the purpose of National Women’s History Month is to increase awareness and knowledge of women's involvement in history; Whereas, as recently as the 1970s, women’s history was rarely included in the kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum and was not part of public awareness; Whereas the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978 centered around International Women's History Day, which is celebrated on March 8; Whereas, in 1980, the National Women’s History Project, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, was founded in Sonoma County, California, by Molly Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammett, and Bette Morgan to broadcast women’s historical achievements; Whereas National Women’s History Project founder Mary Ruthsdotter, who passed away in January 2010, was a leader in the effort to ensure the inclusion of women’s accomplishments in the Nation’s history; Whereas, in 1981, responding to the growing popularity of women’s history celebrations, Congress passed a resolution making Women’s History Week a national observance; Whereas, during this time, using information provided by the National Women’s History Project, founded in Sonoma County, California, thousands of schools and communities joined in the commemoration of National Women's History Week, with support and encouragement from governors, city councils, school boards, and Congress; Whereas, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to include the entire month of March; Whereas educators, workplace program planners, parents, and community organizations in thousands of communities in the United States under the guidance of the National Women's History Project, have turned National Women’s History Month into a major local learning experience and celebration; Whereas the popularity of women’s history celebrations has sparked a new interest in uncovering women’s forgotten heritage; Whereas the President’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History was established to consider how best to acknowledge and celebrate the roles and accomplishments of women in United States history; Whereas the National Women’s History Museum was founded in 1996 as an institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women, and integrating this rich heritage fully into the Nation’s teachings and history books; Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes March 2012 as National Women’s History Month; and Whereas the theme of National Women's History Month 2012 is “Women’s Education-Women’s Empowerment”: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month; and (2)recognizes and honors the women and organizations in the United States that have fought for and continue to promote the teaching of women's history.