[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CLOSING THE GENDER GAP?

  (Mr. ROGAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, the Washington Post reports that test scores 
in core subjects for young women like math and science have risen. 
Despite this reassuring news on the academic front, there is also 
evidence causing great alarm. Today young women are now turning to 
drugs, tobacco and alcohol at a much earlier age.
  Citing the national ``Girls Report,'' the article said the number of 
young women who smoke has nearly doubled in the last 5 years alone. 
This rate far exceeds that of their male peers. The number of girls who 
use marijuana has more than tripled in the same period.
  The number of young women arrested has steadily increased over the 
last 10 years. In an interesting correlation, the number of girls who 
participate in after school athletics has declined, while the number of 
girls who report depression has increased.
  Recently I joined Majority Leader Dick Armey in my district to 
recognize the work of several facilities that are working to ensure a 
healthy environment for our children. As Congress now considers 
education reform, I hope we will heed the warning signs ahead and 
empower successful local programs. Our children and our country deserve 
no less.

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