[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 15 million 
girls and women who will be participating in the 11th Annual National 
Girls and Women in Sports Day. National Girls and Women in Sports Day 
will be celebrated throughout the United States on February 6, 1997.
  Sponsored by Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, National Association 
of Girls & Women in Sports, Women's Sports Foundation, and YWCA of the 
USA, National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrates the 
participation of women in sports and honors the memory of Olympic 
volleyball silver medalist Flo Hyman, who died suddenly during a match 
in Japan. In her honor, the Women's Sports Foundation honors a female 
athlete on National Girls and Women in Sports Day who exemplifies the 
commitment, integrity, and superior athletic ability of Flo Hyman. This 
year the award will go to legend Billie Jean King for her commitment to 
women's rights and her renown as an international tennis champion.
  As a cosponsor of this congressionally established event, I would 
like to give special recognition to seven women who have helped to make 
this event possible, and who have made such a difference in the lives 
of young women all over the United States. They are: Regina Montoya, 
president, board of directors of Girls Inc.; Elinor J. Ferdon, national 
president, Girl Scouts of the USA; Dr. Sue Durrant, president, National 
Association for Girls & Women in Sports; Donna Lopiano, executive 
director, Women's Sports Foundation; Dr. Alpha Alexander, director, 
Health in Sports Advocacy YWCA of the USA; Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis, 
executive director, YWCA of the USA and Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, 
director, Women's Sports Foundation. Every day they make it possible 
for young women to improve their health, self esteem, leadership skills 
and academics.
  As the 25th anniversary of the passage of title IX, this National 
Girls and Women in Sports Day marks a particularly significant event in 
the history of women in sports. Since title IX, the law prohibiting sex 
discrimination in federally-funded institutions, was enacted, women's 
participation in school athletic programs has greatly increased. This 
increase has benefitted young women. Young women who play sports are 
more likely to graduate from high school, and less likely to use drugs 
or have an unintended pregnancy. They reap multiple health benefits 
from athletic participation, including a 40-60 percent decrease in 
their risk of breast cancer. In addition, athletic participation helps 
improve self-esteem and discipline.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these women, and all 
women who participate in National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

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