[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 492 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 492
Supporting the observation of ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day''
on February 5, 2020, to raise awareness of and celebrate the
achievements of girls and women in sports.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 5, 2020
Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. McSally,
Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Rosen, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs.
Shaheen, Ms. Collins, Ms. Harris, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hassan, and
Ms. Warren) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the observation of ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day''
on February 5, 2020, to raise awareness of and celebrate the
achievements 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 almost 50 years ago;
Whereas female participation in college sports has nearly tripled since the
enactment of title IX, but female college athletes still only comprise
44 percent of the total collegiate athlete population;
Whereas, in 1972, women coached more than 90 percent of collegiate women's
teams, but now women coach less than 50 percent of all collegiate women
teams, and there is a need to restore women to those positions to ensure
fair representation and provide role models for young female athletes;
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, and Patty Berg,
who overcame difficult obstacles in their own lives--
G (A) to advance participation by women in sports; and
G (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 support the bonds built between
all athletes to break down the barriers of discrimination, inequality,
and injustice;
Whereas girls and young women in minority communities are doubly disadvantaged
because--
(1) schools in minority communities have fewer athletic opportunities
than schools in other communities; and
(2) the limited resources for athletic opportunities in minority
communities are not evenly distributed between male and female students;
Whereas the 5-time World Cup champion United States Women's National Soccer Team
is leading the fight for equal pay for female athletes;
Whereas, with the recent enactment of laws such as the Protecting Young Victims
from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law
115-126; 132 Stat. 318), Congress has taken steps--
(1) to protect female athletes from the crime of sexual abuse; and
(2) to empower athletes to report sexual abuse when it occurs; and
Whereas, with increased participation by women and girls in sports, it is more
important than ever to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes by
protecting them from the crime of sexual abuse, which has harmed so many
young athletes within youth athletic organizations: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate supports--
(1) observing ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' on
February 5, 2020, to recognize--
(A) the female 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 ensure equal pay for female athletes; and
(B) to protect young athletes from the crime of
sexual abuse so that future generations of female
athletes will not have to experience the pain that so
many female athletes have had to endure; and
(3) all ongoing efforts--
(A) to promote equality 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.
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