[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 96 (Thursday, June 19, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H5502-H5503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                 COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hanabusa) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 42nd anniversary 
of the signing of the Title IX Amendment to the Higher Education Act. 
As you know, Hawaii's own Congresswoman Patsy Mink authored this 
groundbreaking law, and it was later renamed the Patsy Mink Equal 
Opportunity in Education Act. Congresswoman Mink was a true pioneer, 
advancing the legal status of women and girls in higher education. This 
law was the spark that ignited the fire of a larger cultural 
revolution--yes, a revolution, regarding the status of women.
  While title IX is most famous for opening up opportunities for women 
in college athletics, it has had really a greater implication for women 
in higher education. This essential law banned colleges from preventing 
female students from enrolling in courses that were perceived to be 
male-oriented, such as auto mechanics and criminal justice, just to 
name a few. Title IX also banned male-dominated professional schools 
like medical and law schools from limiting the number of women allowed 
to be admitted.
  Patsy Mink, a former attorney herself, was committed to ensuring that 
women following in her path, like myself, would not have to face the 
same battles she did. For that we are all grateful to her. Mrs. Mink 
once said that: ``We have to build things we want to see accomplished, 
in life and in our country, based on our own personal experiences, to 
make sure that others do not have to suffer the same discrimination.''
  Similar to the legislation she authored, Patsy Mink--the person--was 
a true groundbreaker in her own right. She served Hawaii and our Nation 
as the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman elected 
into Congress. Impressively, she was the first Asian-American to seek 
the Presidential nomination for the Democratic party.
  While title IX is responsible for many advancements for women in 
higher education, we know that there is still more work to be done for 
women at every level, including in our high schools. While serving in 
the Hawaii State senate, I was proud to vote for Hawaii's Gender Equity 
in Athletics law, which applies title IX in public high schools, and 
also to serve on the commission it created.
  My commitment has not waned, and I recently cosponsored the High 
School Data Transparency Act, which is meant to help ensure equality 
for high school athletics. This fundamental bill would require schools 
to report critical data on funding and participation in boys and girls 
athletic programs, allowing school districts to better identify and 
rectify discriminatory disparities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you to bring this crucial bill to the floor. The 
High School Data Transparency Act is an obvious partner to title IX, 
extending the spirit of the same law. We have an obligation to ensure 
that young women receive the same opportunities as their male 
counterparts at every level. I am committed to continuing the example 
set by my predecessor, Congresswoman Mink, and find inspiration in her 
words: ``It is easy enough to vote right, but it is more often more 
important to be ahead of the majority, and this means willing to cut 
the first furrow in the ground and stand alone for a while if 
necessary.''
  In closing, I would like to share a meeting I just had yesterday with 
Kaili Higuchi, an eighth-grader from my alma mater, St. Andrew's 
Priory. Accompanied by her proud grandmother, she is here for National 
History Day. Her entry is a Web site on title IX. Kaili said a question 
asked was: Is title IX still necessary? Her answer is a resounding 
``yes.'' I believe Patsy would be proud of Kaili, and that 42 years 
later a young girl is continuing to educate and share title IX with 
others.

[[Page H5503]]

  Mr. Speaker, I encourage you to join me in continuing the work of 
this committed visionary and powerful voice for equality. Please bring 
the bill to the floor.

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