Elizabeth Furse: “I rise to day in support of House Joint Resolution 302 which I have sponsored in the House to designate 1994 as the…”

“I rise to day in support of House Joint Resolution 302 which I have sponsored in the House to designate 1994 as the ``Year of the Girl Child.'' I want to thank each of my many colleagues who have signed up to support this resolution. I would especially like to thank Congresswomen Olympia Snowe, Cynthia McKinney, and Nydia Velazquez for championing this legislation early on as lead cosponsors. Also, I would also like to thank Chairman Clay for bringing up the resolution and Congresswoman Byrne for managing the resolution today on the floor. I introduced House Joint Resolution 302 to call attention to the inequalities that girls face around the world. While it is difficult to apply general remedies to a problem that varies so widely in detail and scope from country to country and from region to region, the indisputable common denominator for raising the status of women is to elevate the status of girls. Last month, many of us observed ``Take Our Daughters to Work Day.'' We brought daughters and young girls from our neighborhoods with us to our workplace and gave them a change to see some of the many opportunities available to them in the professional world. It would be so wonderful not to have to have a special day like this. But unfortunately we do. It is important to focus on the needs of young girls so they will regard themselves, and be regarded by others, as full equals within the classroom and the marketplace.…”