By Thompson H.C.R. No. 11 76R1265 ELG-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of 1-2 All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted by the United 1-3 Nations General Assembly on December 18, 1979, and achieved the 1-4 status of international treaty two years later; and 1-5 WHEREAS, So far, 161 nations have ratified or acceded to the 1-6 convention's provisions and expressed an official commitment to 1-7 provisions to eliminate discrimination against women and to foster 1-8 and uphold gender equality; and 1-9 WHEREAS, While women have made significant social, legal, 1-10 professional, educational, and political gains, much remains to be 1-11 accomplished in their continuing struggle throughout the world for 1-12 full equality and justice; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The convention provides a comprehensive framework 1-14 for promoting that honorable cause and for challenging the various 1-15 forces and practices that have created and sustained discrimination 1-16 based on gender against half of the world's population; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The spirit of the convention is rooted in the goals 1-18 of the United Nations that seek to affirm faith in fundamental 1-19 human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in 1-20 the equal rights of men and women; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Although the United States is considered a world 1-22 leader in human rights, holds a position of leadership in the 1-23 United Nations, and was an active participant in the drafting and a 1-24 signatory of the convention, it is one of the few nations that have 2-1 not ratified the treaty; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The United States should capitalize on this 2-3 excellent opportunity to assert a strong moral stance and to join 2-4 with other nations to promote one of the most fundamental human 2-5 rights, equality, and to help create a world where women are no 2-6 longer discriminated against; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-8 hereby respectfully urge the president of the United States and the 2-9 Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate to 2-10 designate the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of 2-11 All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as a high priority for 2-12 this nation and to enlist the cooperation of the full United States 2-13 Senate to expedite its ratification; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 2-15 copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to 2-16 the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of 2-17 the senate of the United States Congress, and to all members of the 2-18 Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this 2-19 resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a 2-20 memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.