[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 84 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX

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                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th 
anniversary of the enactment of Title IX. Prior to the enactment of 
Title IX, educational and career opportunities were extremely limited 
for women. In 1971, less than 300,000 girls participated in high school 
sports compared to 3.6 million male athletes the same year. Today, this 
number has risen to over 2.4 million female athletes. Women have 
continued to demonstrate that, when given the opportunity, they, too, 
are fully qualified to be successful participants in athletics and 
education.
  In the past 30 years, women have gained numerous other advantages 
from the passage of this historic legislation. Scholarships provided to 
women in increased numbers since passage of Title IX have opened doors 
that were otherwise closed to women. In 1971, only 18% of women 
finished four years of college; today more female students than male 
successfully complete a four-year college education and go on to obtain 
a Master's degree. It is because of historic Title IX, which prohibits 
gender discrimination in federally funded schools, that women have been 
able to overcome these barriers.
  While much has been accomplished since the enactment of this 
legislation, much still remains to be done. We need to be vigilant in 
our enforcement of Title IX and provide the funding needed to help our 
schools fully comply with the law. We need to fight for the passage of 
legislation that will ensure equality for women once they enter the 
workforce. Although today the majority of students are women, as is the 
majority of the U.S. population, women face continued inequalities in 
the workplace. In my home state of Michigan where pay inequity is at 
its worst, women make just 67 cents for every dollar men earn. This is 
inexcusable, and it has to stop. We should view Title IX not as a 
completed effort, but as a first step in ensuring equality for women.
  With the passage of Title IX, our Nation declared that it is in our 
best interest to allow all men and women an equal chance to excel in 
any field or activity to which they commit themselves. It was pledged 
that all individuals should be given the same opportunities to realize 
their potential throughout their education and professional lives. We 
need to work harder to ensure that no American suffers discrimination 
on the basis of gender. We cannot rest until all women, all Americans, 
receive the opportunities they deserve. In my 26 years in Congress, I 
have committed myself to working toward the ideals of justice and 
equality for women, and I will continue to make this effort among my 
top priorities.

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