[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 85 (Thursday, June 23, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TITLE IX'S 33RD ANNIVERSARY
(Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago, Title IX, written by our dear
friend, Patsy Mink, became law. Title IX recognizes that only when all
Americans have opportunity to reach their potential can our country
reach its potential.
Recently, the Bush administration said that if a school's women
students do not respond to an e-mail from the school asking if they are
interested in sports, then the school would be in compliance with Title
IX.
That is ridiculous. There are acceptable standards to measure
compliance that are accurate and must be used.
The lesson of Title IX is that interest flows from opportunity. That
is why women's participation in sports has increased 800 percent in
high school and 400 percent in college since 1972.
Moreover, if we are going to make policy based on how many people
ignore one of the dozens of e-mails in their in-box, we will be in huge
trouble with Title IX.
I hope that the President will heed the letter from the gentlewoman
from California (Leader Pelosi), the gentleman from California (Ranking
Member Miller), and myself and 140 other Members, and rescind this
clarification.
____________________