The resolution designates June 23 of each year as International Widows Day to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows both in the United States and globally. It highlights the staggering statistics provided by the United Nations, which estimates that there are approximately 260 million widows worldwide, with nearly one in ten living in extreme poverty. In the U.S., around one million women become widowed annually, and 70% of married women will experience widowhood in their lifetime. The resolution emphasizes that many widows are younger than commonly perceived, with a median age of 59, and often lack adequate support from social services, facing ongoing financial, legal, and health-related difficulties.

The resolution calls for the Governor to issue an annual proclamation to encourage public officials and citizens to observe International Widows Day through appropriate programs and activities. It aims to draw attention to the need for improved bereavement leave, changes to Social Security regulations, and to address the broader plight of widows in various countries. The resolution is set to take effect immediately upon passage.