[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 104 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ON THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2008

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
36th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title 
IX was the culmination of the hard work of many women and men who 
fought for women's rights to equal opportunities within the American 
education system. Today, we remember their efforts and we celebrate 
their achievements.
  Title IX was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex 
discrimination against students and employees of educational 
institutions. Title IX has benefited both males and females, and is at 
the heart of efforts to create gender equitable schools with equal 
opportunities and treatment for women. The law requires educational 
institutions to maintain policies, practices and programs that do not 
discriminate against anyone based on sex. Under this law, males and 
females must receive fair and equal treatment in all areas of higher 
education, such as admissions, educational programs and athletics.
  The benefits of Title IX are compelling and throughout these 36 years 
we have seen women seize the opportunity to thrive within the education 
system in all areas. High school sports participation for females has 
risen 903% since the early 70s. In 1970, women earned only 14% of 
doctoral degrees, but today earn nearly 50%. Over these 36 years, women 
have entered and thrived in male-dominated fields such as business and 
science. I'd like to recognize the 92 current female Members of this 
Congress who have also entered and thrived in another male-dominated 
field. Many of my distinguished colleagues have been beneficiaries of 
Title IX. They have rightfully been given an opportunity to be free 
from sex discrimination and they are continuing to pave the way for 
women coming after them.
  Throughout our recent history, America has seen the growing momentum 
to achieve the equality enshrined in our Constitution. The Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 was the first giant step, which prohibited discrimination 
on the basis of race, color, sex and national origin. Then during the 
decade after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Congress passed a 
series of laws extending civil rights protections in federally assisted 
programs. There was Title IX, then Section 504 of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973 which protected those with disabilities, then the Age 
Discrimination Act of 1975 which prohibited age discrimination, and 
then the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide 
education and intervention programs to youth with disabilities.
  In the last 44 years we have made great progress towards achieving 
equality and extraordinary legislation such as Title IX has made this 
possible. However, despite all this progress, equal rights and 
opportunities for all have not yet been realized. We continue on the 
journey to obtain equal opportunities for all Americans, and we 
acknowledge that there is much more to be done for women and for other 
historically marginalized groups. But on the 36th anniversary of Title 
IX, we celebrate our achievements as they give us strength to continue 
on the path towards equality.

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