[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S210-S211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 24--SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATION OF ``NATIONAL GIRLS & 
 WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY'' ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023, TO RAISE AWARENESS OF AND 
        CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, 
Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Collins, Ms. Hassan, Ms. 
Klobuchar, Ms. Baldwin, and Ms. Duckworth) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation:

                               S. Res. 24

       Whereas ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' began in 
     1987 as a day to recognize and acknowledge the success and 
     progress of girls and women in sports;
       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 over 50 years ago;
       Whereas 60 percent of high school girls participate in a 
     sport;
       Whereas female participation in college sports has nearly 
     tripled since the enactment of title IX, but female college 
     athletes

[[Page S211]]

     still comprise only 44 percent of the total collegiate 
     athlete population, 30 percent of whom are white women and 
     only 14 percent of whom are Black, Indigenous, and People of 
     Color (referred to in this preamble as ``BIPOC'') women;
       Whereas, in 1971, women coached 90 percent of collegiate 
     women's teams, but as of 2023, women coach only 41 percent of 
     all National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in 
     this preamble as ``NCAA'') women's teams and BIPOC women 
     represent only 7 percent of head coaches;
       Whereas there is a need to restore women to those positions 
     to ensure fair representation and provide role models for 
     young female athletes;
       Whereas, for too long, the many achievements of women in 
     sports have not received fair recognition;
       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, Mary Lou Retton, 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 break down 
     the barriers of discrimination, inequality, and injustice in 
     sports;
       Whereas girls and young women in minority communities are 
     doubly disadvantaged because--
       (1) schools in minority communities have fewer athletic 
     opportunities than schools in predominately White 
     communities; and
       (2) the limited resources for athletic opportunities in 
     minority communities exacerbates the existing gender inequity 
     between girls and boys;
       Whereas the United States Women's National Soccer Team has 
     led the fight domestically and internationally for equal 
     treatment and compensation for female athletes;
       Whereas the 4-time World Cup champion United States Women's 
     National Soccer Team will compete to win a historic third 
     World Cup title in a row at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup;
       Whereas, with the recent enactment of laws such as the 
     Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-340), 
     Congress has taken steps--
       (1) to ensure all athletes representing the United States 
     in global competition receive equal pay and benefits 
     regardless of gender; and
       (2) to represent to the world, and especially young girls, 
     that everyone deserves equal pay and benefits; and
       Whereas, with increased participation by women and girls in 
     sports, it is more important than ever to continue protecting 
     title IX and upload the mandate of the law of equitable and 
     fair treatment and more general principles of gender equity 
     throughout the sport system: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports--
       (1) observing ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' on 
     February 1, 2023, to recognize--
       (A) all women 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 build on the success of the Equal Pay for Team USA 
     Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-340) and ensure equal pay for all 
     female athletes; and
       (B) to protect and uphold title IX of the Education 
     Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) so that future 
     generations of athletes will not have to experience the 
     inequitable and unfair treatment that many athletes have had 
     to endure, and continue to endure, today; and
       (3) all ongoing efforts--
       (A) to promote gender equity 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.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, today I rise to introduce a 
resolution recognizing February 1, 2023, as National Girls and Women in 
Sports Day.
  Nearly 4 million girls and women across this country participate in 
high school and college athletics. Participation in sports has been 
shown to provide lifelong benefits to their physical and mental health. 
Athletic participation helps develop self-discipline, initiative, and 
confidence. When female athletes are supported on the field, they are 
empowered to become leaders off of it.
  For far too long, the many achievements of women in sports have not 
received fair recognition. Female athletes, coaches, and trainers are 
consistently paid less than their male counterparts, subjected to 
subpar working conditions, and receive substantially less investment 
and promotional support for their athletic programs. This country must 
do all it can to break down the barriers of discrimination, inequality, 
and injustice in sports.
  Today's resolution celebrates the tremendous accomplishments of 
female athletes across the United States, supports the growth of female 
sports, and encourages the next generation of athletes to follow their 
dreams.
  I thank Senator Capito for leading this important bipartisan 
resolution with me, and for all of our supporters in the Senate.

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