[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]




        NATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS DAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the growing 
numbers of girls and women in sports whose achievements will be 
celebrated across the Nation on February 6, 1997, the 11th annual 
National Girls and Women in Sports Day [NGWSD]. In Washington, DC, 
there will be a 2-mile fitness walk on the Mall followed by a luncheon 
on Capitol Hill where athletes will be recognized by Members of 
Congress.
  Track and field star Lillian Green-Chamberlain is among the athletes 
participating in the celebration in Washington, DC. Dr. Greene-
Chamberlain holds a number of firsts. She was the first national 
champion in 800 meters, long before it became an Olympic event, and she 
was the first African-American to represent the United States in 
international middle distance running. She was the first and only woman 
and American to serve as the director of the Physical Education and 
Sports Program for the 161 member nations of the Paris-headquartered 
U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO]. In 
addition, Dr. Green-Chamberlain has been a leader in developing health, 
education, physical fitness, recreation, and sports programs nationally 
and internationally for more than 28 years. I am proud that this All-
American woman is from Silver Spring, MD.
  Also participating in the activities in Washington, DC is award-
winning canoeist Jennifer Hearn. This outstanding athlete was the 1993 
U.S. Olympic Festival Champion in whitewater slalom kayaking and the 
1995 Olympic Festival slalom team champion. She placed fifth in the 
1993 U.S. National Championships, and won a silver for the women's 
slalom kayak team event in the 1990 Pre-Worlds. In 1994 and 1995, she 
was sixth on the U.S. National Team, and has also finished among the 
top 30 in two World Cups. Again, I am proud to report that Jennifer 
Hearn is from Bethesda, MD.
  The next time I hear someone say, ``You run or throw like a girl,'' 
I'm going to ask, ``Which girl?'' Maybe they mean the women's world 
record holder in the 440-yard dash in 1961, Lillian Greene-Chamberlain. 
Or do they mean the young woman, also from Silver Spring, who, during 
the 1996 Summer Olympics, helped the U.S. women win their first team 
gold in gymnastics, and won an individual bronze medal, Dominique 
Dawes? Perhaps they mean the young woman who is considered the best 
girl high school basketball player in the United States, senior guard-
forward from Frederick, MD, Nikki Teasley.
  On the 25th anniversary of title IX, we pause to reflect on what we 
have accomplished in the past, and the work that we must do for the 
future. There is no doubt in my mind that title IX has been successful 
in expanding opportunities for women in athletics. We have made great 
strides toward increasing the numbers of women and girls in competitive 
athletics at the high school and college levels. Before title IX, women 
represented only 2 percent of the Nation's college varsity athletes. 
Twenty-five years later, women represent 35 percent of college athletes 
nationwide. The door to athletic opportunities, however, has only 
partially opened for women. Title IX's goal of bringing equal 
opportunity in sports to women and girls has yet to be realized. At 
schools that belong to the National Collegiate Athletic Association 
[NCAA], women account for 53 percent of the college students, but only 
36 percent of the college athletes.
  I applaud the distinguished athletes who have gathered in Washington, 
DC, to celebrate National Women and Girls in Sports Day, for they all 
are long distance runners for equality and social justice that has 
afforded women and girls the benefits of competitive sports.

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