Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on 36th Anniversary of the Enactment of Title IX

June 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today issued the following statement to mark the anniversary of the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972:

“Title IX has unlocked doors and created opportunities for millions of women in America. In the 36 years since Title IX’s enactment, there has been a massive increase in the number of women participating in high school and college sports.

According to the Women Sports Foundation, female high school athletic participation has increased by 904 percent and female collegiate athletic participation has increased by 456 percent. But the influence of Title IX extends far beyond the field or the court. We know that girls who participate in sports are less likely to smoke, drink, drop out of school, be overweight and become teenage mothers, and they are more likely to grow up with confidence and graduate from college.

Despite this incredible progress, women and girls still need our support to level the playing field. Today, female high school athletes receive 1.3 million fewer opportunities to participate in sports than their male counterparts. That is why I will continue to fight to protect Title IX funding. As we mark this date celebrating all that Title IX has accomplished, we must renew our commitment to making sure that future generations can reap the benefits that millions of girls and women all over America have already enjoyed: opportunities to learn new skills, practice teamwork, and gain confidence.”

Senator Clinton has worked aggressively to protect and fully fund Title IX. In 2006, she joined with athletes, students and community leaders at a symposium at Purchase College SUNY to promote Title IX. Senator Clinton also requested that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which she is a member, hold a hearing on the Department of Education’s “Additional Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy.” In the 108th Congress, Senator Clinton co-sponsored both S. Res. 40, which reaffirmed her commitment to Title IX and S. Res. 153, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that changes to athletics policies issued under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 would contradict the spirit of athletic equality and the intent to prohibit sex discrimination in education programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Senator Clinton spoke out in 2003 against the Department of Education’s proposed regulations that attempted to reduce athletic opportunities for women and girls, and undermine their right to equal treatment.

Source: Senator Hillary Clinton