[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 373 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 373

  Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the Women's United 
                          Soccer Association.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2003

  Ms. Slaughter (for herself and Mrs. Capito) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the Women's United 
                          Soccer Association.

Whereas on August 24, 2003, the Washington Freedom women's soccer team won the 
        third Women's United Soccer Association championship game;
Whereas the Freedom won the Founders Cup in overtime by a score of 2-1;
Whereas Freedom forwards Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach, and goalkeeper Siri 
        Mullinix, are expected to play with the United States women's national 
        team in the Women's World Cup;
Whereas since the enactment of title IX, girls' high school athletic 
        participation has increased by 847 percent, and women's college athletic 
        participation has increased by 403 percent;
Whereas women still face financial barriers to participating in athletics, with 
        only 43 percent of the total athletic scholarship dollars going to 
        female athletes;
Whereas a record number of girls and women are playing soccer, with a dramatic 
        growth rate of 24 percent since 1987;
Whereas this growth has far eclipsed that of men players, which grew by 8 
        percent in the same timeframe;
Whereas women now represent 43 percent of all soccer players in 2002;
Whereas soccer is the second most popular United States team sport behind 
        basketball in 2002;
Whereas the 8-team Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), including the 
        Washington Freedom, suspended operations 5 days before the start of the 
        World Cup; and
Whereas the likely termination of the league now leaves the United States with 
        only one top-tier professional league for women: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the Washington Freedom women's soccer 
        team for winning the 2003 WUSA title and recognizes the 
        achievements of all the players, coaches, and support staff who 
        were instrumental in this accomplishment;
            (2) requests that the President recognize the 
        accomplishments and achievements of the 2003 Washington Freedom 
        team and invite them to a White House ceremony for national 
        championship teams;
            (3) expresses its disappointment with the suspension of 
        operations at the WUSA, the world's best soccer league for 
        women; and
            (4) supports reviving the WUSA to provide an avenue for the 
        next generation of women players.
                                 <all>