[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7964-S7965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    KICKOFF OF THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, last week marked the beginning of 
the 1999 Women's World Cup, a competition that includes the best soccer 
teams from throughout the world. Held every four years since 1991, the 
women's World Cup brings together the finest women athletes and allows 
them to compete at the highest level. It is so wonderful that young 
women throughout the world have these role models to look up to--role 
models such as our very own charismatic Julie Foudy, working mother Joy 
Fawcett, teenage sensation Tiffany Roberts, and veteran superstar 
Michelle Akers.
  The United States team, which is among the favorites to win the 
tournament, is led by the best women's soccer player of all time: Mia 
Hamm. Mia Hamm has scored more international goals than any person--man 
or

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woman--in the history of the game. It was perfectly fitting that she 
scored the first goal of the tournament by half-volleying a Brandi 
Chastain pass into the roof of the net.
  It is also fitting that Mia Hamm was born in 1972, the same year that 
President Nixon signed into law Title IX of the Education Amendments 
Act. This law ensures that federally funded schools provide equal 
athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. Twenty-five years 
later, the U.S. National Team is one clear sign that this law is a 
success.
  According to the Women's Sports Foundation, the number of girls who 
participate in high school sports since the enactment of Title IX has 
risen from 300 thousand to 2.37 million. Women are now 37 percent of 
college athletes and were 39 percent of the 1996 United States Olympic 
Team members.
  The record-breaking crowds this weekend in San Jose and Pasadena 
reveal that the enthusiasm for women's soccer is not restricted to 
players only, but is shared by the public. Over 78,000 loyal fans 
packed the seats of Giants Stadium to watch the US-Denmark match, and 
the weekend ticket sales total of over 134,000 surpassed the 112,000 
for the entire 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden. Ticket sales for the 
Cup to date have passed 500,000 and are rapidly growing--potentially 
shattering the 600,000 world record for a sporting event held for 
women.
  The stellar start for the World Cup speaks volumes for the future of 
women's soccer. Female soccer players may not have to wait much longer 
to play professionally in the United States. The successful weekend 
attests to the wonderful athletic stars and enthusiastic fans ready, 
willing and eager to support a women's professional soccer league in 
major markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago. 
Citizens both domestic and worldwide are watching the Women's World Cup 
with pride that our teams are pioneering the path to put women's sports 
on parity with men's.
  The impact of gender equality in sports goes far beyond the soccer 
field and ticket sales. Female student athletes are more likely to 
graduate from college than students who do not participate in sports, 
women who are active in sports and recreational activities as girls 
feel greater confidence, self-esteem and pride in their physical and 
social selves; and 80 percent of women identified as key leaders in 
Fortune 500 companies participated in sports during their childhood.
  The Women's World Cup is also an important way to bring together 
diverse nations of the world. From North Korea to Canada, from Ghana to 
Sweden, everyone shares in the joys of competition and love of the 
game. Television viewers throughout the world have been introduced to 
many countries and its players. During the first week of play, we saw 
the flamboyant Nigerian goalkeeper Ann Chiejinei confidently lead the 
``Super Falcons'' to the second round. The Brazilian one-name wonders 
of Sissi and Preinha brought to mind visions of Pele and Romario in 
scoring the first hat tricks of the tournament. And Norway, which has 
played in the previous two World Cup title games, opened its title 
defense with three impressive victories.
  So, Mr. President, I will make two predictions. My first prediction 
is that the United States will reclaim their title as women's World Cup 
Champions on July 10, in Pasadena, California. And more importantly, my 
second prediction is that generations of women and girls for years to 
come will continue to thrive because of Title IX.

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