THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY M. SMITH, B. BOYLE, BRIGGS, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, DAVIS, EVERETT, FRANKEL, GEORGE, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, JAMES, KORTZ, KULA, MANN, MIRABITO, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PAYTON, READSHAW, CULVER, THOMAS, SANTONI, SANTARSIERO, MAJOR, HARKINS AND DALEY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 15, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating October 11, 2012, as the "Day of the Girl" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Equality and universal access to education for every

girl and boy are among the United Nations' Millennium

Development Goals supported by 189 countries, including the

United States; and

WHEREAS, On December 19, 2011, the United Nations established

October 11, 2012, as the annual International Day of the Girl

Child, supported and cosponsored by the United States and 97

other countries; and

WHEREAS, The Day of the Girl campaign calls on communities

across the globe to recognize that girls worldwide face many

injustices, such as violence, gender stereotypes,

discrimination, lack of education, child labor, early marriage

and economic inequality; and

WHEREAS, The goal of the Day of the Girl campaign is to

commence an open dialog regarding the issues that many young

girls face and to empower girls to fight for their rights and

equality; and

WHEREAS, Several groups throughout this Commonwealth,

including The Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest

Pennsylvania, iTwixie, Girl Scouts and the Girls Coalition of

Southwestern Pennsylvania are celebrating the first annual Day

of the Girl; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives supports increasing

girls' participation in sports, science and math-related

activities, increasing high school graduation rates and

providing equal opportunities for all girls by speaking out

against gender-based injustices, celebrating all girls'

potential and encouraging all girls to pursue their dreams;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October

11, 2012, as the "Day of the Girl" in Pennsylvania.