HJ 477 IH
101st CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 477
Designating April 6, 1990, as `National Student-Athlete Day'.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 20, 1990
Mr. MCMILLEN of Maryland introduced the following joint resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
JOINT RESOLUTION
Designating April 6, 1990, as `National Student-Athlete Day'.
Whereas a student-athlete represents a role model worthy of emulation by
youth in the United States;
Whereas the past athletic successes of many business, governmental,
and educational leaders dispell the myth that successful athletes are
one-dimensional;
Whereas worthy values and behaviors such as perseverance, teamwork,
self-discipline, and commitment to a goal are fostered and promoted by both
academic and athletic pursuits;
Whereas participation in athletics, together with education, provides
opportunities to develop valuable social and leadership skills and gain an
appreciation of different ethnic and racial groups;
Whereas, in spite of all the positive aspects of sport, overemphasis on sport
at the expense of education can cause serious harm to the future of an athlete;
Whereas the pursuit of victory in athletics among schools and colleges in
the Nation often leads to exploitation and abuse of the student-athlete;
Whereas less than 1 in 100 high school athletes ever plays Division I
college athletics;
Whereas, while college athletes in general graduate at the same rate as
other students, less than 30 percent of athletes with scholarships in revenue
producing sports ever graduate;
Whereas only 1 in 10,000 high school athletes ever realizes the dream of
a career in professional sports, and athletes in professional sports can
expect a professional sports career of less than 4 years;
Whereas thousands of students in the United States sacrifice academic
achievement for the dream of professional athletics;
Whereas the practice of keeping athletes eligible for participation on a team,
even at the high school level, must be abandoned for a policy of ensuring
a meaningful education and degree;
Whereas coaches, parents, and educators of student-athletes must express high
expectations for academic performance as well as for athletic performance; and
Whereas a need exists in the Nation to reemphasize the student in the term
student-athlete: Now, therefore, be it
  Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
  America in Congress assembled, That April 6, 1990, is designated as `National
  Student-Athlete Day' and the President of the United States is authorized
  and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United
  States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.