[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 102 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1381]
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. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 406 and the far reaching achievements of Title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal 
Opportunity in Education Act. There is no question that women in this 
country have come a long way in the past 35 years, and there is little 
doubt that much of that progress is a result of title IX.
  Prior to the passage of title IX, it was commonplace for colleges and 
universities to refuse admission to women simply on the basis of their 
gender. Of the handful of female college professors, most taught at 
all-female colleges, received salaries lower than their male 
counterparts, and very few were ever awarded tenure. Back then, schools 
could deny women training in fields deemed ``inappropriate'' such as 
woodworking or automotive repair, and girls ere discouraged from 
studying math and science. Only 1 in 27 girls played high school 
sports, and female college athletes received only 2 percent of overall 
athletic budgets.
  This landmark legislation, passed in 1972, prohibits gender-based 
discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. 
Its effects have been felt far beyond the classroom and athletic field.
  Today, women earn undergraduate and graduate degrees at much higher 
rates, even comprising a majority of undergraduate and graduate school 
enrollment. Women can no longer be denied access to the vocational 
courses of their choice, and girls now take upper-level math and 
science classes at the same rate as boys. Additionally, female 
participation in intercollegiate athletics has increased by 400 percent 
over the past 30 years. In high school athletics, female participation 
has increased by 800 percent.
  Title IX's passage has allowed girls and women to see no boundaries 
to their potential. Today, they can look around and see female doctors, 
lawyers, astronauts, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, Nobel laureates and 
NASCAR drivers. They even have a female Speaker of this House to serve 
as their role model. Title IX has led to the advancement of women in 
countless areas of our society. However, the work of title IX is not 
yet complete.
  Still today, women, on average, earn only 75 cents for every $1 a man 
earns. Even more, women continue to lag behind men in earning doctoral 
and professional degrees. In academia, women earn less, hold lower 
ranking positions and are less likely to be awarded tenure than men. 
Despite comprising over 50 percent of the student population, women 
make up only 42 percent of high school and college varsity athletes, 
and male athletes receive $137 million more than female athletes in 
college athletic scholarships. That does not even take into account the 
barriers that title IX does not address. Negative stereotypes, subtle 
discrimination, and workplace practices that indirectly adversely 
affect women are still pervasive in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, even in this great body, which is supposed to be 
representative of the American people, only 17 percent of our Members 
are female. Therefore, while we celebrate title IX's accomplishments 
over the last 35 years, it is necessary to remember that the struggle 
for gender equity continues.
  I proudly commend Congresswoman Hirono for introducing this 
resolution which celebrates the far reaching accomplishments of title 
IX. I look forward to the day that all Americans are able to achieve 
their promise regardless of their gender.

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