On the 36th Anniversary of Title Ix

ON THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 23, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
OF VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008

* Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 36th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX was the culmination of the hard work of many women and men who fought for women's rights to equal opportunities within the American education system. Today, we remember their efforts and we celebrate their achievements.

* Title IX was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions. Title IX has benefited both males and females, and is at the heart of efforts to create gender equitable schools with equal opportunities and treatment for women. The law requires educational institutions to maintain policies, practices and programs that do not discriminate against anyone based on sex. Under this law, males and females must receive fair and equal treatment in all areas of higher education, such as admissions, educational programs and athletics.

* The benefits of Title IX are compelling and throughout these 36 years we have seen women seize the opportunity to thrive within the education system in all areas. High school sports participation for females has risen 903% since the early 70s. In 1970, women earned only 14% of doctoral degrees, but today earn nearly 50%. Over these 36 years, women have entered and thrived in male-dominated fields such as business and science. I'd like to recognize the 92 current female Members of this Congress who have also entered and thrived in another male-dominated field. Many of my distinguished colleagues have been beneficiaries of Title IX. They have rightfully been given an opportunity to be free from sex discrimination and they are continuing to pave the way for women coming after them.

* Throughout our recent history, America has seen the growing momentum to achieve the equality enshrined in our Constitution. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the first giant step, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex and national origin. Then during the decade after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Congress passed a series of laws extending civil rights protections in federally assisted programs. There was Title IX, then Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which protected those with disabilities, then the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 which prohibited age discrimination, and then the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide education and intervention programs to youth with disabilities.

* In the last 44 years we have made great progress towards achieving equality and extraordinary legislation such as Title IX has made this possible. However, despite all this progress, equal rights and opportunities for all have not yet been realized. We continue on the journey to obtain equal opportunities for all Americans, and we acknowledge that there is much more to be done for women and for other historically marginalized groups. But on the 36th anniversary of Title IX, we celebrate our achievements as they give us strength to continue on the path towards equality.

Source