A 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.

III 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 achieve- ments 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 fol- lowing 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 opportu- nities 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 elimi- VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:50 Feb 05, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR492.IS SR492 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 492 IS nate 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 pre- amble as ‘‘title IX’’), but high school girls still experi- ence— (1) a lower share of athletic participation opportuni- ties than high school boys; and (2) a lower level of athletic participation opportuni- ties than high school boys enjoyed almost 50 years ago; Whereas female participation in college sports has nearly tri- pled since the enactment of title IX, but female college athletes still only comprise 44 percent of the total colle- giate 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 ath- letes 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 over- came difficult obstacles in their own lives— VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:50 Feb 05, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR492.IS SR492 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 492 IS (A) to advance participation by women in sports; and (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 bar- riers of discrimination, inequality, and injustice; Whereas girls and young women in minority communities are doubly disadvantaged because— (1) schools in minority communities have fewer ath- letic 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 Pro- tecting 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 sex- ual 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 safe- ty and well-being of athletes by protecting them from the crime of sexual abuse, which has harmed so many young VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:50 Feb 05, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR492.IS SR492 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 492 IS athletes within youth athletic organizations: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the Senate supports— 1 (1) observing ‘‘National Girls & Women in 2 Sports Day’’ on February 5, 2020, to recognize— 3 (A) the female athletes who represent 4 schools, universities, and the United States in 5 their athletic pursuits; and 6 (B) the vital role that the people of the 7 United States have in empowering girls and 8 women in sports; 9 (2) marking the observation of National Girls & 10 Women in Sports Day with appropriate programs 11 and activities, including legislative efforts— 12 (A) to ensure equal pay for female ath- 13 letes; and 14 (B) to protect young athletes from the 15 crime of sexual abuse so that future generations 16 of female athletes will not have to experience 17 the pain that so many female athletes have had 18 to endure; and 19 (3) all ongoing efforts— 20 (A) to promote equality in sports, includ- 21 ing equal pay and equal access to athletic op- 22 portunities for girls and women; and 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:50 Feb 05, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR492.IS SR492 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 5 •SRES 492 IS (B) to support the commitment of the 1 United States to expanding athletic participa- 2 tion for all girls and future generations of 3 women athletes. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:50 Feb 05, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR492.IS SR492 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS