1.1                             A resolution
  1.2             memorializing the United States Senate to ratify the 
  1.3             United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All 
  1.4             Forms of Discrimination Against Women. 
  1.5      
  1.6      WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination 
  1.7   of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted by the 
  1.8   United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 1979, became an 
  1.9   international treaty on September 3, 1981, and as of December 
  1.10  1997, 161 nations have ratified or acceded to the convention's 
  1.11  provisions; and 
  1.12     WHEREAS, although the United States is considered a world 
  1.13  leader in human rights, supports and has a position of 
  1.14  leadership in the United Nations, was an active participant in 
  1.15  the drafting and is a signatory of the convention, the United 
  1.16  States is one of the few nations that have not ratified the 
  1.17  treaty; and 
  1.18     WHEREAS, the spirit of the convention is rooted in the 
  1.19  goals of the United Nations and the United States which seek to 
  1.20  affirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and 
  1.21  worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and 
  1.22  women; and 
  1.23     WHEREAS, the convention provides a comprehensive framework 
  1.24  for challenging the various forces that have created and 
  1.25  sustained discrimination based on sex against half of the 
  2.1   world's population and the 161 nations that have ratified the 
  2.2   convention have agreed to follow the convention prescriptions; 
  2.3   and 
  2.4      WHEREAS, although women have made major gains in the 
  2.5   struggle for equality in social, business, political, legal, and 
  2.6   educational fields, there is much more to be accomplished; and 
  2.7   through its support, leadership and prestige, the United States 
  2.8   can help create a world where women are no longer discriminated 
  2.9   against and have achieved one of the most fundamental of human 
  2.10  rights, equality; NOW, THEREFORE, 
  2.11     BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota 
  2.12  that it urges the Senate of the United States to ratify the 
  2.13  United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
  2.14  Discrimination Against Women and to support the convention's 
  2.15  continuing goals. 
  2.16     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the 
  2.17  State of Minnesota is directed to prepare copies of this 
  2.18  memorial and transmit them to the President of the United 
  2.19  States, the President and the Secretary of the United States 
  2.20  Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of 
  2.21  Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in 
  2.22  Congress.