33rd Anniversary of Title IX - June 23, 2005

Mr. Speaker, today I also rise with my colleagues who are here from the Women's Caucus to pay tribute to a historic occasion, the celebration of the 33rd anniversary of Title IX that seeks to achieve fairness among student athletes, both men and women.

For 33 years, Title IX has expanded opportunities for young women and girls to participate in athletic programs in schools across the country. Since it was enacted in 1972, women's participation in these sports has increased by 400 percent at college level and about 800 percent in high schools. Title IX's fundamental intent is significant because it ensures equal access and opportunity to all women and especially women of color.

And yesterday I had the opportunity of joining with Members of the Senate and the House to celebrate this very important occasion and to also make very clear that we are in opposition to this clarification, or notion of clarification, that the Secretary of the Department of Education would like to somehow implement, which would actually create a big loophole so that we would not be able to account for those young women participating in these sports. It would keep scholarships from them and the ability to participate in sports. So, please, I ask the Members to contact the President.