WHEREAS, By an act of the United States Congress, February 4, 1987, was proclaimed as the first national Girls and Women in Sports Day in honor of Flo Hayman, a volleyball legend whose efforts to promote equality in sports were cut short by her untimely and tragic death; and

WHEREAS, Since that time women have made considerable advances in professional, collegiate, club, intramural, masters, high school, junior high school, youth, and recreational sports; and

WHEREAS, Many female athletes have distinguished themselves as representatives of California and the nation in international competition and the Olympic games; and

WHEREAS, Participation in sports is acknowledged as a positive force in developing and promoting physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being; and it is well established that participation in athletics builds self-esteem, communication skills, discipline, and perseverance, all qualities that make a positive and significant difference in the quality of life and in the level of accomplishment; and

WHEREAS, We need to encourage women of all ages to compete and contribute to sports at all levels of competition and recreation in order to help prepare the next generation of female athletes and sports leaders; and

WHEREAS, The combined efforts of many organizations including the Women’s Sports Foundation, California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Girl Scouts of America, the YWCA, and the California National Organization for Women, Inc., have served to bring needed information and important recognition of this day as well as furthered the dreams and inspired today’s female athletes; now, therefore, be it