By Davila H.C.R. No. 103 74R6164 KMP-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background 1-2 have made and continue to make many invaluable contributions to the 1-3 cultural, historical, and economic development of Texas and the 1-4 United States; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Today, women constitute a significant portion of the 1-6 labor force working in and outside of the home; historically they 1-7 have also played a unique role by providing the majority of our 1-8 state's volunteer labor force, and they were instrumental in the 1-9 establishment of early cultural, charitable, and philanthropic 1-10 institutions; and 1-11 WHEREAS, In addition to these outstanding economic and 1-12 cultural achievements, women have also been at the vanguard of 1-13 every major social movement of our time; with the advent of the 1-14 industrial revolution, female workers led the way in promoting 1-15 labor unions, while many mothers and community leaders lobbied for 1-16 prohibition legislation, child-labor legislation, and improved 1-17 access to education for all Americans; and 1-18 WHEREAS, True participatory democracy has been achieved 1-19 within our state and nation through the able guidance and 1-20 leadership of dedicated women activists who were at the forefront 1-21 of the emancipation, suffrage, and modern civil rights movements; 1-22 and 1-23 WHEREAS, Texas can take special pride in its strong support 1-24 of women's rights, for the Lone Star State was the first in the 2-1 South and the ninth in the nation to vote for the full 2-2 enfranchisement of American women; in 1924, our state also became 2-3 the first state in the union to elect a female governor, Miriam 2-4 Ferguson; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Since the early 19th century women have made many 2-6 notable contributions to the history and culture of Texas; pioneer 2-7 women participated in the construction and defense of early Texan 2-8 outposts, while women such as sculptor Elisabet Ney have brought 2-9 our state international acclaim and recognition through their 2-10 artistic achievements; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Despite these many significant accomplishments, 2-12 however, the role of women in history has often been overlooked and 2-13 undervalued throughout the years; and 2-14 WHEREAS, This March, Americans everywhere will celebrate 2-15 Women's History Month, paying tribute to female citizens who have 2-16 helped to make this nation a better place in which to work, live, 2-17 and raise a family, and it is indeed appropriate at this time that 2-18 the State of Texas join with its sister states in commemorating 2-19 this important and meaningful occasion; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-21 hereby recognize the observance of March 1995 as Women's History 2-22 Month and join with citizens of the Lone Star State in celebrating 2-23 the achievements of Texas women in history.