THOMPSON INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION HONORING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today introduced H. RES. 137, a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives honoring March as Women's History Month. The origins of Women's History Month begin in Thompson's district.

"The roots of Women's History Month are in our district, andI'm proud to recognize the many contributions that women have made to our nation with this resolution," said Thompson. "However, honoring women should not be limited to one month out of the year. We need to work every day to make sure women have the same opportunities as men to move up and succeed – because when women succeed, America succeeds."

Until the late 1970's, women's history was rarely included in K-12 curriculum and was virtually absent in public awareness. To counter this, the Education Taskforce of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978 centered on International Women's History Day. With the help of the National Women's History Project, founded in Sonoma County, thousands of schools and communities joined in the commemoration of Women's History Week. In 1981, Congress responded to the growing popularity of Women's History Week by making it a national observance and eventually expanding the week to a month in 1987.

The National Women's History Project (NWHP) is based in Santa Rosa and chooses the theme of National Women's History Month each year. This year, National Women's History Month celebrates "Weaving the Story of Women's Lives."

Thompson has previously co-authored numerous pieces of legislation to ensure women are treated equally in the workplace. Those bills include the Paycheck Fairness Act which provides more effective remedies to women who face blatant wage discrimination, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act which requires employers to maintain pregnant workers' salaries and benefits so that women don't have to choose between their workplace security and having a child.

Thompson also helped pass the Lilly Ledbetter Act which ensures women can fight for equal pay in court.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5^th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

# # #