SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 9

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 1996

By Senator BASSANO

A Joint Resolution directing the Governor and the Legislature to ensure appropriate representation of women on all boards and commissions with gubernatorial or legislative appointees.

Whereas, Last year's fourth annual "World Conference on Women," attended by 185 heads of governmental delegations, including two prime ministers and several first ladies, has helped to focus attention on the broad range of problems facing women all over the world; and

Whereas, The platform document adopted by the delegates of this historic conference highlighted strategies to combat poverty, disease, violence against women and children and to help women become more involved politically by opening the doors to the decision-making process of government; and

Whereas, In order to achieve gender balance in its decision-making hierarchy, the United Nations plans to hire women to fill two out of three job vacancies by the year 2000; and

Whereas, It is appropriate that the State of New Jersey, which elected its first female Governor in 1993, follow the lead of the United Nations by increasing the number of women appointed to all gubernatorial and legislative boards and commissions, thus ensuring that women have a greater say in their political futures by becoming an even larger part of the governmental structure of this State; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Governor and the Legislature are directed to ensure appropriate representation of women on all boards and commissions with gubernatorial or legislative appointees by increasing the number of women appointed by State boards and commissions.

    2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This joint resolution directs the Governor and the Legislature to ensure the appropriate representation of women on all boards and commissions with gubernatorial or legislative appointees. By increasing the number of women appointed to these boards and commissions, the Governor and the Legislature would be ensuring that women have a greater say in their political futures by becoming an even larger part of the governmental structure of this State.