[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 542 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 542
Supporting the observation of ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day''
on February 7, 2024, to raise awareness of and celebrate the
achievements of girls and women in sports.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 5, 2024
Ms. Butler (for herself, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Ms.
Hirono, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Collins, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs.
Blackburn, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Rosen, and Mrs. Shaheen) 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 7, 2024, to raise awareness of and celebrate the
achievements of girls and women in sports.
Whereas ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' began in 1987 as a day to
recognize and acknowledge the success and progress 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 over 50 years ago;
Whereas 60 percent of high school girls participate in a sport;
Whereas the share of women participating in college sports has nearly tripled
since the enactment of title IX, but female college athletes still
comprise only 44 percent of the total collegiate athlete population, 30
percent of whom are White women and only 14 percent of whom are Black,
Indigenous, and People of Color (referred to in this preamble as
``BIPOC'') women;
Whereas, in 1971, women coached 90 percent of collegiate women's teams, but as
of 2024, women coach only 41.2 percent of all National Collegiate
Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as ``NCAA'') women's
teams and BIPOC women represent only 7 percent of head coaches;
Whereas there is a need to restore women to those positions to ensure fair
representation and provide role models for young female athletes;
Whereas, for too long, the many achievements of women in sports have not
received fair recognition;
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 Billie Jean King, Flo Hyman,
Gertrude Ederle, Wilma Rudolph, Althea Gibson, Mildred Ella ``Babe''
Didrikson Zaharias, Mary Lou Retton, and Patty Berg, whose stories and
adversity faced have helped strengthen women sports by--
G (A) advancing participation by women in sports; and
G (B) setting 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 break down the barriers of
discrimination, inequality, and injustice in sports;
Whereas girls and young women in minority communities are doubly disadvantaged
because--
(1) schools in minority communities have fewer athletic opportunities
than schools in predominately White communities; and
(2) the limited resources for athletic opportunities in minority
communities exacerbates the existing gender inequity between girls and
boys;
Whereas the 4-time World Cup champion United States Women's National Soccer Team
has led the fight domestically and internationally for equal treatment
and compensation for female athletes;
Whereas United States women athletes will compete on the world stage in 2024 at
the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics;
Whereas, with the recent enactment of laws such as the Equal Pay for Team USA
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-340), Congress has taken steps--
(1) to ensure all athletes representing the United States in global
competition receive equal pay and benefits regardless of gender; and
(2) to represent to the world, and especially young girls, that
everyone deserves equal pay and benefits; and
Whereas, with increased participation by women and girls in sports, it is more
important than ever to continue protecting title IX and upload the
mandate of the law of equitable and fair treatment and more general
principles of gender equity throughout the sport system: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports--
(1) observing ``National Girls & Women in Sports Day'' on
February 7, 2024, to recognize--
(A) all women 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 build on the success of the Equal Pay for
Team USA Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-340) and ensure
equal pay for all female athletes; and
(B) to protect and uphold title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) so that
future generations of athletes will not have to
experience the inequitable and unfair treatment that
many athletes have had to endure, and continue to
endure, today; and
(3) all ongoing efforts--
(A) to promote gender equity 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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