[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WOMEN ATHLETES AT THE 2004 SUMMER 
                                OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the amazing 
achievements of the women athletes at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, 
Greece. In particular, I want to celebrate the success of the United 
States Women's Soccer Team, who made us proud by winning a gold medal 
at the 2004 Olympics, beating Brazil 2-1 in overtime, on August 26, 
2004.
  Every woman on the Olympic soccer team deserves our recognition and 
congratulations: Shannon Boxx, Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Julie 
Foudy, Mia Hamm, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Kristin Luckenbill, 
Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Heather O'Reilly, Cindy Parlow, Christie 
Rampone, Cat Reddick, Briana Scurry, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner, and 
Abby Wambach.
  These women have become some of the most famous athletic role models 
on earth. They have taught our children that if you work hard and you 
believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. Indeed, these women 
are helping to fundamentally change perceptions about athletics. It is 
no surprise that our little girls look up to these strong, motivated 
women for inspiration. But to also see little boys wearing jerseys 
emblazoned with the names of their favorite women players is a 
wonderful sight.
  The accomplishments of this generation of women athletes demonstrates 
the profound impact that Title IX has had on increasing opportunities 
in sports for women and girls. Title IX, part of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 requiring that public schools and colleges provide 
equal educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women, has 
unquestionably been a tremendous success. The members of the U.S. 
Women's Soccer team have been tireless advocates for Title IX. Their 
efforts have helped the Women's Caucus and our male colleagues to 
preserve and strengthen this historic law.
  It is important for girls to have every opportunity to succeed, 
especially when it comes to athletics. That is why the leadership of 
the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has introduced H.R. 4994, 
the High School Athletics Accountability Act. This bill will require 
schools to report to the Department of Education basic data on the 
number of female and male students in their athletic programs and the 
expenditures made for their sports teams. Currently high schools are 
not required to disclose any data on equity in sports, making it 
difficult for schools and parents to ensure fairness in athletics 
programs. Better information can help high schools and parents of 
schoolchildren foster fairness in athletic opportunities for girls and 
boys.
  As a testament to the power of these women, their fan appreciation 
tour, which kicks off in Rochester, on September 25, sold out all 
14,000 seats in just minutes. I have introduced a bill in Congress, H. 
Res. 373, which supports the reestablishment of the Women's United 
Soccer Association (WUSA). Hopefully, some day the WUSA will return, to 
give every amazing female soccer player the professional athletic 
opportunities in the United States they so deeply deserve.
  Thank you to all the women Olympic athletes for transforming the 
lives and attitudes of today's young women, and for those of 
generations to come. We all know that girls who compete in sports 
perform better in school, are physically healthier and have a stronger 
self-esteem. Our girls have learned that sweat is sexy, brawn is 
beautiful and a little dirt never hurt anyone. You have truly given us 
all a whole lot more to celebrate, work hard for and dream about.

                          ____________________