[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 492--SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATION OF ``NATIONAL GIRLS & 
 WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY'' ON FEBRUARY 5, 2020, TO RAISE AWARENESS OF AND 
        CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. McSally, 
Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Rosen, Ms. 
Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. 
Shaheen, Ms. Collins, Ms. Harris, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hassan, and 
Ms. Warren) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 492

       Whereas athletic participation helps develop self-
     discipline, initiative, confidence, and leadership skills, 
     and opportunities for athletic participation should be 
     available to all individuals;
       Whereas, because the people of the United States remain 
     committed to protecting equality, it is imperative to 
     eliminate the existing disparities between male and female 
     youth athletic programs;
       Whereas the share of athletic participation opportunities 
     of high school girls has increased more than sixfold since 
     the enactment of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 
     (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as 
     ``title IX''), but high school girls still experience--
       (1) a lower share of athletic participation opportunities 
     than high school boys; and
       (2) a lower level of athletic participation opportunities 
     than high school boys enjoyed almost 50 years ago;
       Whereas female participation in college sports has nearly 
     tripled since the enactment of title IX, but female college 
     athletes still only comprise 44 percent of the total 
     collegiate athlete population;
       Whereas, in 1972, women coached more than 90 percent of 
     collegiate women's teams, but now women coach less than 50 
     percent of all collegiate women teams, and there is a need to 
     restore women to those positions to ensure fair 
     representation and provide role models for young female 
     athletes;
       Whereas the long history of women in sports in the United 
     States--
       (1) features many contributions made by female athletes 
     that have enriched the national life of the United States; 
     and
       (2) includes inspiring figures, such as Gertrude Ederle, 
     Wilma Rudolph, Althea Gibson, Mildred Ella ``Babe'' Didrikson 
     Zaharias, and Patty Berg, who overcame difficult obstacles in 
     their own lives--
          (A) to advance participation by women in sports; and
          (B) to set positive examples for the generations of 
     female athletes who continue to inspire people in the United 
     States today;
       Whereas the United States must do all it can to support the 
     bonds built between all athletes to break down the barriers 
     of discrimination, inequality, and injustice;
       Whereas girls and young women in minority communities are 
     doubly disadvantaged because--
       (1) schools in minority communities have fewer athletic 
     opportunities than schools in other communities; and
       (2) the limited resources for athletic opportunities in 
     minority communities are not evenly distributed between male 
     and female students;
       Whereas the 5-time World Cup champion United States Women's 
     National Soccer Team is leading the fight for equal pay for 
     female athletes;
       Whereas, with the recent enactment of laws such as the 
     Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport 
     Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-126; 132 Stat. 
     318), Congress has taken steps--
       (1) to protect female athletes from the crime of sexual 
     abuse; and
       (2) to empower athletes to report sexual abuse when it 
     occurs; and
       Whereas, with increased participation by women and girls in 
     sports, it is more important than ever to ensure the safety 
     and well-being of athletes by protecting them from the crime 
     of sexual abuse, which has harmed so many young athletes 
     within youth athletic organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports--
       (1) observing ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' on 
     February 5, 2020, to recognize--
       (A) the female athletes who represent schools, 
     universities, and the United States in their athletic 
     pursuits; and
       (B) the vital role that the people of the United States 
     have in empowering girls and women in sports;
       (2) marking the observation of National Girls & Women in 
     Sports Day with appropriate programs and activities, 
     including legislative efforts--
       (A) to ensure equal pay for female athletes; and
       (B) to protect young athletes from the crime of sexual 
     abuse so that future generations of female athletes will not 
     have to experience the pain that so many female athletes have 
     had to endure; and
       (3) all ongoing efforts--
       (A) to promote equality in sports, including equal pay and 
     equal access to athletic opportunities for girls and women; 
     and
       (B) to support the commitment of the United States to 
     expanding athletic participation for all girls and future 
     generations of women athletes.

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