[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 33rd anniversary of 
the day Congress passed Title IX, in support of the landmark 
legislation that prohibited gender discrimination in education programs 
and activities receiving federal funds.
  Title IX provides for equal opportunity for women and girls in areas 
related to access to higher education, athletics, career education, 
education for pregnant and parenting students, employment, learning 
environment, math and science education, sexual harassment, 
standardized testing, and technology.
  Unfortunately, recent action by the Bush Administration and Secretary 
Spellings has threatened provisions providing for equal opportunities 
for girls and women in sports. This new interpretation of Title IX 
compliance now only requires that schools survey current female 
students regarding their interest in sports. A lack of response can be 
assumed a lack of interest. This process has several flaws, including 
the reliance on using only email as an effective tool for soliciting 
feedback on such an important law.
  Unfortunately, because this interpretation was deemed a simple 
``clarification'' by the Bush administration, there will be no public 
comment period, despite the serious concerns the public has raised 
regarding this change. This is not the first time the American people 
have raised concerns regarding this issue, nor is it the first time 
this Administration has tried to weaken Title IX.
  In 2002, the Administration attempted to change this policy through 
the establishment of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. The 
Commission made several negative recommendations that weakened the 
goals of Title IX, but significant public outcry prevented these 
misguided policy changes. Given this kind of public commitment to this 
issue, I am very concerned about the way in which this most recent 
``clarification'' has happened--late on a Friday afternoon, without any 
consultation or time for feedback despite a clear history of interest 
in this issue.
  Over the past 30 years, significant movements have ensured more 
opportunities for women and girls. In fact young women's participation 
in athletics has increased by 400 percent at the college level and by 
800 percent in high schools. Title IX has provided opportunities for 
female I athletes; however, they continue to be shortchanged in terms 
of athletic scholarship opportunities, facilities, and other benefits 
and services. Women and girls receive only 41 percent of athletic 
opportunities today, despite the fact that they constitute more than 
half of student enrollments. Vigorous enforcement of Title IX, rather 
than the weakening of compliance measures, must be the goal of the 
Department of Education. This is a time to continue to ensure women and 
girls are offered equal athletic opportunities at all levels of their 
abilities.

  Last month, I convened a roundtable discussion in my district with 
nearly 50 students, coaches, Title IX compliance officers, and athletic 
directors regarding the ``clarification.'' They shared their stories 
about what sporting opportunities were like before Title IX compared to 
the opportunities girls and women have now, their commitment to Title 
IX, and their concerns regarding efforts to weaken it. In fact, some 
schools shared that because this particular measure of Title IX 
compliance is so weak in demonstrating equal opportunities, they do not 
plan to use it, but rather they will use other measures.
  I am proud of the female athletes in Minnesota--not only for their 
accomplishments but for their willingness to stand up and ensure these 
opportunities remain for generations of women to come.
  It is in their honor that I rise today in recognition of these women 
trailblazers in athletics and education to call on President Bush and 
Secretary Spellings to immediately withdraw this harmful 
``clarification'' and to support efforts that strengthen, rather than 
weaken, Title IX.

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