HJR3: recognizing the historic milestone represented by the New Hampshire senate being the first legislative body in the United States with women as the majority of its members.

CHAPTER 63

HJR 3 – FINAL VERSION

24Mar2009… 0654h

2009 SESSION

09-0267

10/01

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 3

A RESOLUTION recognizing the historic milestone represented by the New Hampshire senate being the first legislative body in the United States with women as the majority of its members.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cushing, Rock 15; Rep. Nixon, Hills 17; Rep. Read, Rock 16; Rep. Cote, Hills 23

COMMITTEE: Legislative Administration

ANALYSIS

This house joint resolution recognizes the historic milestone represented by the New Hampshire senate being the first legislative body in the United States with women as the majority of its members, and encourages the dedication of a plaque noting the milestone.

24Mar2009… 0654h

09-0267

10/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

A RESOLUTION recognizing the historic milestone represented by the New Hampshire senate being the first legislative body in the United States with women as the majority of its members.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

Whereas, on December 3, 2008 the newly elected state senators for New Hampshire assembled in the senate chambers and of the 24 senators who took office, 13 are female; and

Whereas, New Hampshire has a long history of pioneering and advancing respect for human rights and equality; and

Whereas the reality of a legislature led by women, and a senate with of a majority of women, is the fulfillment of the dreams of those before who struggled for gender equality and full participation in our government and society; and

Whereas, the legislature honors women who are pioneers in state and federal government, including Marilla Ricker, the first woman to try to run for office; Jesse Doe and Mary Louise Rolf Farnum, first women to serve in the state house of representatives; Maude Ferguson, the first woman to serve in the state senate; Dudley Dudley, the first woman on the executive council; Vesta Roy, the first woman to be senate president and acting governor; Jeanne Shaheen, the first woman to be elected governor and United States senator; Donna Sytek, the first woman to be speaker of the house; and Carol Shea Porter, the first woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives; and

Whereas the composition of the New Hampshire legislature has the highest number of women of any legislature in the nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

That this historic milestone in the advancement of human rights and gender equality be recognized by the general court and the people of the state; and

That the joint legislative facilities committee is encouraged to acquire a plaque or similar symbol of recognition for permanent installation in the historic New Hampshire state house, and that said plaque note the historic milestone in political parity; and

That this plaque or similar symbol of recognition be dedicated at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009, the 90th anniversary of the date that New Hampshire formally ratified the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution extending to women the right to vote.

Approved: June 9, 2009