[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E405-E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE PATSY MINK OF HAWAII

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, March is Women's History Month, a time to 
reflect upon and honor the contributions of women that

[[Page E406]]

have made this country a better place. Today, we are going to recognize 
one of our own.
  Few dispute the positive impact of Title IX, the landmark civil 
rights legislation that prohibits sex discrimination in federally-
funded education programs. But I wonder how many of my colleagues 
realize that we have the privilege to serve with one of the driving 
forces behind that law--the Gentlelady from Hawaii, Patsy Mink.
  As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Patsy was one 
of the architects of Title IX. And since its enactment 30 years ago, 
she has been a leading voice in the call for full enforcement of the 
law.
  The importance of her work cannot be understated. This is 
demonstrated by my own family's experience.
  Only the youngest of my three daughters, Adrienne, had the 
opportunity to play soccer from kindergarten on through college.
  As the assistant soccer coach for her team in the mid and late 1980s, 
I can well remember the excitement of the girls--and their parents--
when girls' soccer first became a recognized team sport in our high 
school. That meant that Adrienne, just like my son Rody before her, 
would have the opportunity to play a sport she loved throughout her 
years in school.
  But the impact of Title IX is widespread.
  Thanks to its passage in 1972, my daughter Adrienne and so many other 
young women and girls throughout America have come to benefit from the 
opportunities enjoyed for so long by young men and boys in America.
  A recent GAO study reported that, since the enactment of Title IX, 
the number of women enrolled in college has more than doubled from 
about 3.7 million to 8.2 million. The number of women participating in 
intercollegiate sports also has grown from about 30,000 to 157,000--
this is an increase from 1.7 percent to 5.5 percent of all full-time, 
undergraduate women. The unparalleled opportunities that women and 
girls currently have in the classroom and on the playing field are due 
in large part to Title IX.
  Title IX has enabled young women to participate in school sports--to 
learn the value of teamwork and competition, and to gain the self-
confidence and skills that are so valuable in business and in other 
future careers.
  I cannot say enough about how instrumental Patsy was in bringing out 
these opportunities for young women. As with any issue on which Patsy 
Mink takes a stand, she has consistently shown her passion for 
enforcing gender equity, particularly as it relates to education. And 
as the legislative record shows, she has been steadfast in her 
commitment to preserving the advances and effectiveness of Title IX.
  Congresswoman Mink is to be commended for her leadership on Title IX. 
She will long be remembered for her tireless efforts toward achieving 
true equality for women. And her efforts truly represent the spirit and 
ideals of Women's History Month.

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