[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 101 (Thursday, June 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS 
   OF 1972 AND RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO CONTINUE PURSUING EDUCATIONAL 
                   OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2007

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, this week, we 
celebrate the 35th anniversary of the signing of title IX into law. 
Title IX was enacted on June 23, 1972, and it marked a major milestone 
for American women.
  Title IX is a deceptively simple piece of legislation, requiring that 
``no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be 
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be 
subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity 
receiving Federal financial assistance.'' Who knew that one 
unpretentious sentence could accomplish so much? But title IX has 
provided the framework for an America that finally guaranteed a truly 
equal education for men and women.
  The positive effects of this legislation are evident. Women now have 
the opportunity to participate in any sport they desire. Before title 
IX, two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona was effectively 
forced to retire from amateur swimming at the age of 17 because no 
American colleges were offering women scholarships in swimming or most 
other competitive sports. But today, just a generation later, NCAA 
women's sports and professional female sports leagues such as the WNBA 
are thriving and giving women everywhere chances to be superstars that 
they've never had before.
  But I think the most telling effect of title IX is the fact that 
today, more women than men are attending college. Equal education for 
women was rare before 1972, when many law and medical schools allowed a 
maximum of 15 women in per year, and when women were often shut out of 
classes such as criminal justice and auto mechanics. Today, well over 
half of all undergraduate college students are women--and women 
outnumber men in graduate school enrollment, including high-paying, 
high-powered professional programs like law.
  Title IX was all about opportunities. Title IX gave women new chances 
that they had never had before, and today, it is easy to see that women 
around the country are taking full advantage of them. While you might 
be able to name only a few famous women making news at the turn of the 
20th century, it wouldn't take you more than a minute to name dozens--
maybe even hundreds--of female news makers at the turn of the 21st 
century. It's amazing how many outstanding women have carved out 
careers in journalism, science, law, politics, sports, and the arts--
and disheartening to imagine the amazing women of the past who were 
never given the chance. I am excited to see what today's little girls 
will do with the opportunities title IX will provide to them.

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