[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 28, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND JACKIE STILES

  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Madam President, this month we celebrate Women's 
History Month. It is an opportunity to reflect on the successes, 
advances and contributions women have made and are making in American 
life.
  Today, I have the special privilege of honoring a woman who is not 
only celebrating women's history this month--she is making it.
  Jackie Stiles stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, but she is a giant on and 
off the court. Earlier this week, she led the Lady Bears of Southwest 
Missouri State into victory over Washington, securing her team a spot 
in the NCAA Final Four. It was the latest accomplishment in the life of 
this remarkable young woman.
  In high school, she was a 14-time state track champion and once 
scored 71 points in a single basketball game. Her fans would show up at 
nine in the morning with lounge chairs to be first in line when the gym 
doors opened at 4:30. They just wanted to catch a glimpse of Jackie in 
action. She is a hero in her home town--and in towns across America 
where young girls dream impossible dreams. Jackie shows them dreams can 
happen.
  At Southwest Missouri State, Jackie Stiles has scored--as of today--
3,361 points, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NCAA. She has 
also become the heart of the Lady Bears. Every time she plays, she 
thrills the sell out crowds at the Hammons Student Center--better known 
as the ``House of Stiles.''
  On Friday, the team will come home to Missouri for the Final Four. 
And with all due respect to my colleagues from the great state of 
Indiana, I predict a big win over Purdue for Jackie Stiles and the Lady 
Bears.
  Jackie Stiles didn't become a star overnight. She does it the hard 
way--the only way she knows how. She began training at age two with her 
father and has pushed herself ever since. She goes to the gym and won't 
leave until she makes 1,000 shots.
  The story of Jackie Stiles is also the story of Title IX, the 
landmark civil rights legislation which set out to curtail 
discrimination against women and girls in education and athletics. 
Without Title IX, we might never have heard of heroes like Jackie 
Stiles. In 1971, the year before Title IX, only 25,000 women competed 
in college sports. Today, that figure has grown to more than 135,000 
women--including one very talented player who wears the number ten 
jersey for Southwest Missouri State.
  Jackie's success is measured in more than just rebounds, lay-ups, and 
jump shots. She has brought attention to women's sports, and has proven 
that women's basketball is exciting. Most of all, she is a role model 
and an inspiration for thousands of girls.
  If she chooses, Jackie's next stop is probably the WNBA. I have no 
doubt that she will become one of the league's greatest attractions. 
She will help not only her team but her sport and all those who 
appreciate and enjoy it.
  Mr. President, in honor of Women's History Month, I'd like to offer 
my congratulations to Jackie Stiles, the Lady Bears of Southwest 
Missouri State, and all the other heroes who are bringing women's 
sports to a new high and teaching young girls to follow their dreams. 
May they continue to thrill, entertain, and inspire us.

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