HR198.DOC

WHEREAS, women in the State of Hawaii continue to be underrepresented in various aspects of life, including employment, education, politics, and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, these women's voices are embodied and heard by an entity that strives to provide resources, equal opportunities, and legislative advocacy to women; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women has served as this entity since its creation by the Governor by executive order in 1964; and

WHEREAS, the Commission aids as a catalyst dedicated to improving the status of and quality of life for women who are affected by gender inequality through advocacy, education, and program development; and

WHEREAS, the Commission is committed to increasing public awareness of issues pertaining to women and encourages women to pursue their political, educational, and employment rights; and

WHEREAS, over the past 50 years, the Commission has successfully advocated for many pieces of legislation, including the passage of Title IX "Women's Education Act of 1972", which barred discrimination based upon sex in educational programs receiving federal funding; and

WHEREAS, the Commission has also been involved in legislative advocacy efforts pertaining to increasing workplace protections for breastfeeding women, prohibiting workplace discrimination against domestic violence and sexual violence victims, and ensuring that sexual assault victims are provided information about and access to emergency contraception when receiving emergency medical care at Hawaii's hospitals; and

WHEREAS, additionally, the Commission initiated the Hawaii Women's Coalition and created the Hawaii Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard Advisory Committee and several programs aimed at improving the quality of life for women, including a statewide program for Women's Health Month and Women's History Month; and

WHEREAS, through all of its efforts and accomplishments, the Commission has served as a staunch advocate for the women of Hawaii to help them advance towards attaining gender equality; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that this body hereby congratulates the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women for its 50 years of commitment to creating equality for women and girls in the State of Hawaii and expresses to the Commission its warmest aloha and best wishes for success for many years to come.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Congratulating the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	198
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII