House Concurrent Resolution 12

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AUGUST 26, 2019, AS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY IN MISSISSIPPI AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT MILESTONE OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

WHEREAS, Women's Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 of each year in recognition of the date the federal government proclaimed the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, to be incorporated into the Constitution, which took place on August 26, 1920; and

WHEREAS, the 19th Amendment was introduced in Congress first in 1878 by Senator Aaron A. Sargent, and 41 years later, in 1919, Congress approved the amendment and submitted it to the states for ratification, which proved successful on August 18, 1920, with the State of Tennessee delivering the final vote on the historic appeal for women's suffrage; and

WHEREAS, since the passage of the 19th Amendment, women have helped shape the political and economic landscape of our nation and have been able to let their voices be heard on important issues; and

WHEREAS, although women's suffrage was an important milestone, there are still other inequalities that women face, whether it is discrimination in the workplace or the gender pay gap, and it is important to realize that the fight for women's equality is far from over; and

WHEREAS, just as every woman has a right to vote, every woman also has a right to live in a society that places women on equal footing with other persons regardless of gender; and

WHEREAS, every president has published a proclamation for Women's Equality Day since 1972, the year after the Joint Resolution of Congress designating Women's Equality Day was passed; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the historic landmarks of our nation's history, and the women's right to vote is one such landmark that should be celebrated and remembered:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate August 26, 2019, as Women's Equality Day in Mississippi, and we urge all citizens to reflect on the great women and men who tirelessly fought for women's suffrage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.