H.R. No. 71 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, February 2, 1995, has been designated as National 1-2 Girls and Women in Sports Day; and 1-3 WHEREAS, This annual celebration was initiated in 1987 to 1-4 honor the memory of Olympic champion volleyballer Flo Hyman for her 1-5 exceptional athletic accomplishments and has evolved into a day 1-6 dedicated to appreciating the myriad achievements of all women and 1-7 girls who participate in sports and to promoting greater 1-8 opportunities for their continued participation; and 1-9 WHEREAS, During the course of the past decade there has been 1-10 a heightened awareness of the significant strides made by women in 1-11 the field of athletic endeavor, and this well-deserved exposure has 1-12 served to inspire many girls and women to devote their energies to 1-13 this highly rewarding aspect of life; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Bonnie Blair, Sheryl Swoopes, Mary Lou Retton, Nancy 1-15 Kerrigan, Janet Evans, and many other well-known female athletes 1-16 have received a level of recognition that previously was the 1-17 exclusive domain of their male counterparts, and these justly 1-18 renowned champions help to foster in all girls and women the belief 1-19 in their own ability to excel; and 1-20 WHEREAS, National Girls and Women in Sports Day is organized 1-21 each year by the National Association of Girls and Women in Sports, 1-22 Girls Incorporated, the Women's Sports Foundation, the YWCA of the 1-23 USA, and the Girl Scouts; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Among those individuals who have given freely of 2-1 their time and talents to ensure that this year's celebration of 2-2 National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a resounding success in 2-3 the Dallas area are Greg Larimer, a science and health teacher at 2-4 J. J. Pearce High School in Richardson; Anne B. Duncan, Dallas 2-5 International Sports Commission (DISC) president and chief 2-6 executive officer; Michele Ramsey, DISC program director; and 2-7 Janice Spallin, DISC program assistant; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Corporate involvement has made a significant impact 2-9 on the promotion of this worthy event, and those corporations that 2-10 helped to sponsor this year's event include J.C. Penney Co., Inc., 2-11 and Reebok; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Active participation in sports imbues in girls and 2-13 women a greater sense of self-confidence, cooperation, competition, 2-14 pride, and other essential values, and it is indeed appropriate 2-15 that the significant achievements of female athletes be 2-16 acknowledged on this special occasion; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby recognize February 2, 1995, as National Girls 2-19 and Women in Sports Day and encourage the citizens of Texas to 2-20 observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.