House Concurrent Resolution 54

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND OBSERVING MARCH 8, 2018, AS "INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY" AND ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI TO COMMEMORATE ITS OBSERVANCE ON MARCH 8, 2018.

WHEREAS, International Women's Day, March 8, 2018, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women; and

WHEREAS, this special day of recognition and honor also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, because according to the With the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings, the gender parity is over 200 years away; and

WHEREAS, International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies; and

WHEREAS, International Women's Day is a collective day of global celebration and a call for gender parity, as no one government, nongovernmental organization, charity, corporation, academic institution, women's network or media hub is solely responsible for International Women's Day; and

WHEREAS, the campaign theme for the 2018 International Women's Day is "Press for Progress," because with global activism for women's equality fueled by movements like "#MeToo," "#TimesUp," and more, there is a strong global momentum striving for gender parity as long as women everywhere "Press for Progress"; and

WHEREAS, as of March 2018, there are more than 3,672,000,000 women in the world, who have fundamental rights, participate in the political, social, and economic lives of their communities, play a critical role in providing and caring for their families, contribute substantially to economic growth and the prevention and resolution of conflict, and as farmers and caregivers, play an important role in the advancement of food security for their communities; and

WHEREAS, the advancement of women around the world is an important policy priority for the United States and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, March 8, 2018, is recognized as International Women's Day, a global day to celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women in the past, present, and future, and to recognize the obstacles that women face in the struggle for equal rights and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the outstanding contributions to society made by the women of Mississippi as well as women throughout the world and firmly believe that it is fitting and proper to commemorate their monumental and positive role in the betterment of Mississippi and observe March 8, 2018, as "International Women's Day":

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and observe March 8, 2018, as "International Women's Day" and encourage the citizens of Mississippi to commemorate its observance on March 8, 2018.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the State of Mississippi supports the goals of International Women's Day; recognizes that the empowerment of women is inextricably linked to the potential of a country to generate economic growth, sustainable democracy and inclusive security; recognizes and honors individuals in the United States and around the world, including women human rights defenders and civil society leaders, that have worked throughout history to ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human rights; and supports sustainable, measurable development that seeks to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.