[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                TITLE IX

  (Ms. CARSON of Indiana asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 30th 
anniversary of title IX, which requires public schools to grant girls 
the same access to athletic programs as boys.
  Before title IX, women were discouraged from participating in many 
sports, such as basketball, soccer, wrestling and hockey. Title IX 
legislation created new opportunities for women to explore and excel in 
sports traditionally limited to men.
  Mr. Speaker, 30 years later, title IX has been the foundation of 
increased funding for female athletic scholarships, parity in salary 
among female teachers and their male counterparts, and intolerance of 
discrimination among females.
  Title IX has allowed the number of females participating in 
interscholastic sports to increase from 300,000 in 1971 to 
approximately 2.4 million at present. It is important for young women 
to participate in athletics. Even a small amount of daily physical 
activity can contribute to health benefits that last a lifetime. By 
leading an active lifestyle, the risk of diseases can be dramatically 
reduced. Girls and women participating in sports have higher levels of 
confidence, stronger self-images, and less depression.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to participate in this vital 
initiative this week and forever more.




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