Whereas, Women comprise about 51% of the Unites States (U.S.) population, and yet it is estimated by some that they only comprise 10% of the figures represented in United States history textbooks; and

Whereas, Women should have equal recognition for their immense contributions to our nation; and

                     Whereas, In 2014, the President signed legislation creating the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum (The Commission); and

Whereas, On November 16, 2016, The Commission released The American Museum of Women’s History Congressional Report to the President of the United States and to Congress; and

Whereas, The report includes recommendations for the location, funding, governance structure, content of the museum, along with a timeline of the development of the project; and

Whereas, The American Museum of Women’s History would highlight the numerous contributions women have made to the U.S.; and

Whereas, Women are currently underrepresented in main sites of public history, including textbooks, currency, postage stamps, and monuments; and

Whereas, In the National Statuary Hall of the U.S Capitol building, there are 91 statues of men but only 9 statutes of women; and

Whereas, Out of the roughly 5,000 public outdoor sculptures in the United States, only 394 or 8 percent are of women; and

Whereas, Only one of the 44 national memorials managed by the National Park Service specifically focuses on women and their achievements; and

Whereas, The Commission recommends that the American Museum of Women’s  History be made a full component museum of the Smithsonian, which is currently the world’s largest museum; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Congress to pass and the President to sign, legislation that would establish an American Museum of Women’s History as a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

LS 9705

ER

1/6/17