Celebrating the Accomplishments of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Recognizing the Need to Continue Pursuing Educational Opportunitie

Floor Speech

CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972 AND RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO CONTINUE PURSUING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 21, 2007)

* Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, this week, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the signing of title IX into law. Title IX was enacted on June 23, 1972, and it marked a major milestone for American women.

* Title IX is a deceptively simple piece of legislation, requiring that ``no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.'' Who knew that one unpretentious sentence could accomplish so much? But title IX has provided the framework for an America that finally guaranteed a truly equal education for men and women.

* The positive effects of this legislation are evident. Women now have the opportunity to participate in any sport they desire. Before title IX, two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona was effectively forced to retire from amateur swimming at the age of 17 because no American colleges were offering women scholarships in swimming or most other competitive sports. But today, just a generation later, NCAA women's sports and professional female sports leagues such as the WNBA are thriving and giving women everywhere chances to be superstars that they've never had before.

* But I think the most telling effect of title IX is the fact that today, more women than men are attending college. Equal education for women was rare before 1972, when many law and medical schools allowed a maximum of 15 women in per year, and when women were often shut out of classes such as criminal justice and auto mechanics. Today, well over half of all undergraduate college students are women--and women outnumber men in graduate school enrollment, including high-paying, high-powered professional programs like law.

* Title IX was all about opportunities. Title IX gave women new chances that they had never had before, and today, it is easy to see that women around the country are taking full advantage of them. While you might be able to name only a few famous women making news at the turn of the 20th century, it wouldn't take you more than a minute to name dozens--maybe even hundreds--of female news makers at the turn of the 21st century. It's amazing how many outstanding women have carved out careers in journalism, science, law, politics, sports, and the arts--and disheartening to imagine the amazing women of the past who were never given the chance. I am excited to see what today's little girls will do with the opportunities title IX will provide to them.

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