[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING LAUREN MATTHEW OF WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPION

  (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding Lauren Matthew of West Valley High School of Spokane, the 
rightful State champion in the girls' 400-meter race.
  Lauren is the winner. However, the Washington State high school 
record books will tell a different story.
  Last weekend, a transgender athlete claimed the Class 2A girls' State 
title in the 400-meter dash for the second year in a row. Every person 
in this country deserves dignity and respect, but this outcome is 
unfair and deeply troubling.
  Keeping women's sports female is common sense and an issue that 
unites the vast majority of Americans. Transgender males should not be 
competing in girls' athletic events. It is not just unfair. It is a 
betrayal of the young women who dedicate themselves to excellence 
through hard work and training.
  Like many others, I welcomed President Trump's executive order 
earlier this year, keeping men out of women's sports, as a step in the 
right direction. However, in Washington State, the law still requires 
schools to allow participation in sports based on gender identity, not 
biological sex. That violates Title IX and Federal protections for 
women's athletics.
  We honor these young ladies like Lauren Matthews for their 
commitment, their discipline, and their performance. Moreover, we will 
keep fighting to ensure fairness in women's sports is not just a 
talking point but a promise kept. Their achievements deserve to be 
celebrated.
  Here in this Chamber, Lauren Matthews and all the young female 
athletes out there just like her are celebrated.
  Here in the Halls of Washington, D.C., in our Nation's Capitol on the 
floor of Congress, I am proud to recognize Lauren as the champion of 
the State 400-meter dash. She is an outstanding athlete and an 
inspiration to so many young girls and young athletes out there, 
including my own.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage Lauren to keep running hard, keep working, 
keep inspiring, keep winning, and know that we in Congress have her 
back.

                          ____________________