Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 112 Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. HOULAHAN, and Ms. STEVENS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Whereas the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and formalized as February 11 each year; Whereas the annual recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 allows us to honor women’s significant achievements in scientific fields; Whereas the International Day of Women and Girls in Science places a much-needed focus on women and girls VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:25 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR112.IH HR112 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 112 IH currently studying and working in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers; Whereas, in 2019, just 30 percent of researchers worldwide were women, and only 35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related studies are women; Whereas, in the United States, women earned less than half of degrees in most STEM fields (46.3 percent associate’s, 49.4 percent bachelor’s, 43.6 percent master’s, 45.2 per- cent doctoral), less than a quarter of all degrees in engi- neering, but half to three-quarters of all degrees in bio- logical sciences, psychology, and social sciences, and ac- count for just 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce; Whereas long-standing biases, discrimination, and gender stereotypes steered and continue to influence girls and women away from science-related fields; Whereas despite this, generations of women have continued to lead in scientific discoveries and groundbreaking re- search; Whereas, for centuries, female scientists such as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, whose stories were told in the movie ‘‘Hidden Figures’’, and countless others have made groundbreaking discoveries, contributed greatly to the advancement of their fields, and inspired a generation of women to follow in their footsteps; Whereas the United States and 192 other Member States of the United Nations unanimously prioritized ending the gender gap in education through Sustainable Develop- ment Goal 4—to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education—and the United Nations International Chil- VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:25 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR112.IH HR112 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 112 IH dren’s Emergency Fund, United Nations Women, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are working together with countries and the private sector to strengthen girls and women participa- tion in STEM fields, however there is still a long way to go; and Whereas by elevating the work of women and girls in science, we can inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, thinkers, and professionals: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) recognizes the significance of the Inter- 2 national Day of Women and Girls in Science; 3 (2) recognizes the importance of having greater 4 representation of women in science fields; and 5 (3) recognizes the groundbreaking contributions 6 of women in STEM fields, past, present, and future. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:25 Feb 12, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR112.IH HR112 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS