[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



WELCOMING THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS TO 
                              INDIANAPOLIS

  (Ms. CARSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the National 
Federation of State High School Associations to their new home in 
Indianapolis.
  The Federation was started in 1920 by educators dedicated to the 
development of young people, and it promotes participation in 
sportsmanship with the goal of developing good citizens through 
interscholastic activities.
  Through participation in these activities, young people gain the 
skills necessary to succeed in life. Skills like teamwork, respect for 
themselves and others, dedication to their communities, and pride in a 
job well done.
  I am very privileged to have the National Federation of State High 
School Associations in their new home in my Congressional District in 
Indianapolis.
  The Federation writes playing rules and coordinates the 
administration of high school sports and activities in the United 
States. Their mission is to provide the necessary leadership to enhance 
the educational experiences of high school students and reduce the 
risks of their participation.
  The Federation was started in 1920 by educators dedicated to the 
development of young people as productive citizens in our nation 
through the medium of activities. It provides essential services to the 
nation's 18,000 high schools.
  Each year, more than 6,500,000 young people participate in high 
school sports, and another 4,000,000 participate in the fine arts 
programs of speech, debate and music. The Federation publishes playing 
rules in 16 sports for boys and girls competition and provides programs 
and services that its member state associations can and do utilize in 
all 50 states.
  The Federation seeks to provide equitable opportunities, positive 
recognition and learning experiences to students while maximizing the 
achievement of educational goals. After school programs also go a long 
way in the physical and emotional development of our nation's youth.
  Through their annual sponsorship of National Student-Athlete Day, the 
Federation has helped to recognize more than 500,000 students 
nationwide not only for excellence in athletic achievement but academic 
achievement excellence and community service as well.
  The Department of Health and Human Services has documented that 
participation in extracurricular activities reduces dropout rates, 
diminishes the rates of drug abuse and teen pregnancy, and enhances 
academic performance. Time and time again we hear about the increase in 
teenage crime between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. I strongly support 
the goals of the Federation in their attempts to provide an alternative 
for our nation's youth to work at something productive rather than 
something destructive.
  Interscholastic activities are a part of the educational curriculum 
and experience in our schools and must always remain as such. The 
responsibility of retaining their place as an integral part of the 
educational process of young people rests with the Federation. I am 
proud that the National High School Federation, like the NCAA before 
it, has chosen Indianapolis as its new home. I look forward to working 
closely with them to increase the extra-curricular opportunities for 
our nation's high school students.
  Indianapolis is a great city for amateur and professional sports, and 
we will help the Federation continue its fine work on behalf of our 
nation's young people.

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