LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Congress to enact H.R. 863 and S.
398, relating to the creation of a National Women's History Museum

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to encourage passage of
federal legislation to improve New York State, allow for better repre-
sentation of the State's citizens on a national level and generally
enhance the quality of life of New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Proposed bill H.R. 863/S. 398, the National Women's History
Museum Commission Act of 2013, which would establish the Commission to
Study the Potential Creation of a National Women's History Museum, would
further these laudable goals; and
WHEREAS, The creation of a National Women's History Museum would be
nationally significant and acknowledge and promote the myriad contrib-
utions women have made and will continue to make to this nation, which
are often underrepresented in historical accounts; and
WHEREAS, Passage of this proposal would additionally set an example
worldwide, by ensuring proper recognition be given to the historical
influence women have on all aspects of society, and would therefore
benefit and improve the lives of all women of the world; and
WHEREAS, Currently, women's historical contributions are largely miss-
ing from textbooks and other educational materials; a recent survey of
18 history textbooks found that only ten percent of the individuals
identified and discussed in the books were women; and
WHEREAS, The vast majority of memorials and other acknowledgments of
honor and pivotal involvement in the progress of our nation dispropor-
tionately recognize men, with only 13 of the 210 statues at the United
States Capitol memorializing female leaders, and only five percent of
the 2,400 national historic landmarks chronicling the accomplishments of
women; and
WHEREAS, The creation of a National Women's History Museum would
change this unfortunate situation by telling the largely untold stories
of women who played significant roles in the creation and development of
our Nation; and
WHEREAS, With the creation of a National Women's History Museum, women
of historical significance will finally receive the recognition to which
they are entitled, such as Agent 355, the mysterious woman who sent
vital information to General George Washington during the Revolutionary
War which was instrumental in our victory; Hedy Lamarr, an actor who
invented a radio-guided torpedo which contained the technology that gave
rise to the cellphone, Wi-Fi and GPS; Stephanie Kwolek, who invented
Kevlar fibers, five times stronger than steel when woven together and
credited with revolutionizing the automotive industry through the
creation of lightweight, puncture-resistant tires and law enforcement
through the invention of bullet-proof garments, and many others; and
WHEREAS, Numerous museums exist in Washington, DC, that honor groups
of people or subject areas which influenced America, thanks in part to
acts of Congress, including the National Postal Museum, the National
Museum of Buildings, and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum; and
WHEREAS, This museum will not become a burden to the federal govern-
ment or to taxpayers as it will be funded entirely through private
donations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is
respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to enact H.R. 863 and
S. 398, relating to the creation of a National Women's History Museum;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker

of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the Congress of
the United States from the State of New York.