[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.
____________________