[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING THE GOAL OF ``INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY''

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 90.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 90) supporting the goal of 
     ``International Women's Day'' and recognizing this year's 
     centennial anniversary of International Women's Day.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 90) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 90

       Whereas there are more than 3,300,000,000 women in the 
     world today;
       Whereas women around the world participate in the 
     political, social, and economic life of their communities, 
     play a critical role in providing and caring for their 
     families, contribute substantially to the growth of 
     economies, and, as both farmers and caregivers, play an 
     important role in advancing food security for their 
     communities;
       Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``[o]ur common 
     prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men 
     and women - to reach their full potential'';
       Whereas Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, 
     ``Put simply, we have much less hope of addressing the 
     complex challenges we face in this new century without the 
     full participation of women. Whether the economic crisis, the 
     spread of terrorism, regional conflicts that threaten 
     families and communities, and climate change and the dangers 
     it presents to the world's health and security, we will not 
     solve these challenges through half measures. Yet too often, 
     on these issues and many more, half the world is left 
     behind.'';
       Whereas the ability of women to realize their full 
     potential is critical to the ability of a nation to achieve 
     strong and lasting economic growth and political and social 
     stability;
       Whereas according to the 2010 World Economic Forum Global 
     Gender Gap Report, ``reducing gender inequality enhances 
     productivity and economic growth'';
       Whereas according to the International Monetary Fund, 
     ``focusing on the needs and empowerment of women is one of 
     the keys to human development'';
       Whereas despite some achievements made by individual women 
     leaders, women around the globe are still vastly 
     underrepresented in high level positions and in national and 
     local legislatures and governments and, according to the 
     Inter-Parliamentary Union, women account for only 19.2 
     percent of national parliamentarians;
       Whereas although strides have been made in recent decades, 
     women around the world continue to face significant obstacles 
     in all aspects of their lives including denial of basic human 
     rights, discrimination, and gender-based violence;
       Whereas according to the World Bank, women account for 
     approximately 70 percent of individuals living in poverty 
     worldwide;
       Whereas according to UNESCO, women account for 64 percent 
     of the 796,000,000 adults worldwide who lack basic literacy 
     skills;
       Whereas according to the International Center for Research 
     on Women, there are more than 60,000,000 child brides in 
     developing countries, some of whom are as young as 7 years 
     old;
       Whereas according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 
     the majority of women living in rural areas of the developing 
     world are heavily engaged in agricultural labor, yet they 
     receive less credit, land, agricultural inputs, and training 
     than their male counterparts;
       Whereas according to the International Union for 
     Conservation of Nature, women in developing countries are 
     disproportionately affected by changes in climate because of 
     their need to secure water, food, and fuel for their 
     livelihood;
       Whereas according to the World Health Organization, as many 
     as 1 in 5 women report being sexually abused before the age 
     of 15;
       Whereas March 8 is recognized each year as International 
     Women's Day, a global day to celebrate the economic, 
     political, and social achievements of women past, present, 
     and future and a day to recognize the obstacles that women 
     still face in the struggle for equal rights and 
     opportunities; and
       Whereas the milestone 100th anniversary of International 
     Women's Day is a testament to the dedication and 
     determination of women and men around the world to address 
     gender inequality: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of ``International Women's Day'';
       (2) recognizes the significance of the 100th anniversary of 
     International Women's Day;
       (3) recognizes that the empowerment of women is 
     inextricably linked to the potential of nations to generate 
     economic growth and sustainable democracy;
       (4) recognizes and honors the women in the United States 
     and around the world who have worked throughout history to 
     ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human 
     rights;
       (5) reaffirms its commitment to ending discrimination and 
     violence against women and girls, to ensuring the safety and 
     welfare of women and girls, and to pursuing policies that 
     guarantee the basic human rights of women and girls 
     worldwide; and
       (6) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     International Women's Day with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

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