FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on the 34th Anniversary of Title IX

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the 34th Anniversary of Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that prohibits education and athletic programs that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of gender:

“For 34 years, Title IX has empowered hundreds of thousands of young women on the soccer field and in the classroom by ensuring equal opportunity for women and girls in athletics and education.  Because of Title IX, young women's participation in athletics has increased 400 percent at the college level and 800 percent in high schools.

“But more importantly, because of Title IX, women and girls know that they can succeed not only on the playing field and in the classroom, but also in the halls of power and corporate boardrooms.  Title IX has empowered countless girls and women to be stronger and bolder through a simple message: your education is crucial and your future is limitless.

“Unfortunately, the Bush Administration is moving in the wrong direction on Title IX by attempting to rollback the decades of progress made by this landmark legislation.  The Bush Administration issued a new ‘Clarification’ on Title IX that creates a major loophole and lowers the standard for Title IX compliance, jeopardizing the opportunities available to women and girls in schools across the country.

“Democrats are calling on the Bush Administration to withdraw their new policy on Title IX and to work with Congress to ensure that we continue to open the doors of opportunity for today’s young women and for generations to come.”

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“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi