SR12: supporting the establishment of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.

SR 12 – AS INTRODUCED

2012 SESSION

12-3077

04/09

SENATE RESOLUTION 12

A RESOLUTION supporting the establishment of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.

SPONSORS: Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Stiles, Dist 24; Sen. Forrester, Dist 2; Sen. Merrill, Dist 21; Sen. Kelly, Dist 10

COMMITTEE:

ANALYSIS

This resolution supports the establishment of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.

12-3077

04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

A RESOLUTION supporting the establishment of a National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.

Whereas, in 1987, Congress declared March as “Women’s History Month” to acknowledge the important role women have played in shaping America; and

Whereas, although women constitute a majority of the nation’s population, their achievements and contributions are underrepresented in museums and memorials; and

Whereas, in a recent survey of 18 history books, only 10 percent of the people identified were women; and

Whereas, in 1999, the President’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in

American History called for a women’s history museum to be established on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), founded in 1996, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women and fully integrating the heritage of women into this nation’s history; and

Whereas, the NWHM seeks a site on or close to the National Mall and in close proximity to the White House and United States Capitol; and

Whereas, the NWHM has identified federally-owned property for sale near the National Mall; and

Whereas, legislation is currently pending in Congress seeking authorization for the NWHM to be able to purchase this property at fair market value with privately raised funds. No federal funds are being requested for the purchase of this land; and

Whereas, there are museums dedicated to flight, postage stamps, buildings, and many other important people and issues, but not to women, and yet women comprise 51 percent of the nation’s population; and

Whereas, the NWHM will showcase the full history of women in the United States and the contributions they have made and continue to make in the marketplace, arts and sciences, government, entertainment, education, home, and community; and

Whereas, a coalition of 43 women’s organizations representing 8 million women, which includes the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), supports the efforts of the NWHM to establish a permanent residence on the National Mall, the most prominent location for museums to be situated in the nation’s capital; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that this New Hampshire senate hereby respectfully urges the esteemed members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate to support the NWHM’s efforts to secure a permanent home on or close to the National Mall for a museum that will highlight the important role women have played in shaping this great nation; and be it further

Resolved, that the secretary of state is directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the New Hampshire congressional delegation.