Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the Women's United Soccer Association.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and its leaders, Congresswomen Shelley Moore Capito, Ginny Brown-Waite and Hilda L. Solis and myself, to honor the amazing achievements of the women athletes at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In particular, I want to celebrate the success of the United States Women's Soccer Team, who made us proud by winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, beating Brazil 2-1 in overtime, on August 26, 2004.

I would especially like to recognize Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain, our honored guests for a Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues reception today, Tuesday, September 28, 2004, celebrating the accomplishments of female U.S. Olympic athletes. As Captain and 16-year veteran of the U.S. Women's National Team, Julie Foudy is one of the most influential athletes in the United States. Through the end of 2003, she had started in 229 of the 239 games in which she appeared, including all six of the world championship events played by the U.S. women. And if that was not impressive enough, she scored in all four of the Women's World Cup tournaments. Her teammate, Brandi Chastain, another long-standing player on the U.S. Women's Soccer Team, provided one of the greatest moments in the history of sports with her penalty kick on the USA's fifth shot in the 1999 Women's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.

These women have become some of the most famous athletic role models on earth. They have taught our children that if you work hard and you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. Indeed, these women are helping to fundamentally change perceptions about athletics. It is no surprise that our little girls look up to these strong, motivated women for inspiration. But to also see little boys wearing jerseys emblazoned with the names of their favorite women players is a wonderful sight. The accomplishments of this generation of women athletes demonstrates the profound impact that Title IX has had on increasing opportunities in sports for women and girls. Title IX, part of the Education Amendments of 1972 requiring that public schools and colleges provide equal educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women, has unquestionably been a tremendous success. The members of

the U.S. Women's Soccer team have been tireless advocates for Title IX. Their efforts have helped the Women's Caucus and our male colleagues to preserve and strengthen this historic law.

It is important for girls to have every opportunity to succeed, especially when it comes to athletics. That is why the leadership of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has introduced H.R. 4994, the High School Athletics Accountability Act. This bill will require schools to report to the Department of Education basic data on the number of female and male students in their athletic programs and the expenditures made for their sports teams. Currently high schools are not required to disclose any data on equity in sports, making it difficult for schools and parents to ensure fairness in athletics programs. Better information can help high schools and parents of schoolchildren foster fairness in athletic opportunities for girls and boys.

As a testament to the power of these women, their fan appreciation tour, which kicks off in Rochester, on September 25, sold out all 14,000 seats in just minutes. I have introduced a bill in Congress, H. Res. 373, which supports the re-establishment of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Hopefully, some day the WUSA will return, to give every amazing female soccer player the professional athletic opportunities in the United States they so deeply deserve.

Thank you to all the women Olympic athletes for transforming the lives and attitudes of today's young women, and for those of generations to come. We all know that girls who compete in sports perform better in school, are physically healthier and have a stronger self-esteem. Our girls have learned that sweat is sexy, brawn is beautiful and a little dirt never hurt anyone. You have truly given us all a whole lot more to celebrate, work hard for and dream about.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the amazing achievements of the women athletes at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In particular, I want to celebrate the success of the United States Women's Soccer Team, who made us proud by winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, beating Brazil 2-1 in overtime, on August 26, 2004.

Every woman on the Olympic soccer team deserves our recognition and congratulations: Shannon Boxx, Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Kristin Luckenbill, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Heather O'Reilly, Cindy Parlow, Christie Rampone, Cat Reddick, Briana Scurry, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner, and Abby Wambach.

These women have become some of the most famous athletic role models on earth. They have taught our children that if you work hard and you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. Indeed, these women are helping to fundamentally change perceptions about athletics. It is no surprise that our little girls look up to these strong, motivated women for inspiration. But to also see little boys wearing jerseys emblazoned with the names of their favorite women players is a wonderful sight.

The accomplishments of this generation of women athletes demonstrates the profound impact that Title IX has had on increasing opportunities in sports for women and girls. Title IX, part of the Education Amendments of 1972 requiring that public schools and colleges provide equal educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women, has unquestionably been a tremendous success. The members of the U.S. Women's Soccer team have been tireless advocates for Title IX. Their efforts have helped the Women's Caucus and our male colleagues to preserve and strengthen this historic law.

It is important for girls to have every opportunity to succeed, especially when it comes to athletics. That is why the leadership of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has introduced H.R. 4994, the High School Athletics Accountability Act. This bill will require schools to report to the Department of Education basic data on the number of female and male students in their athletic programs and the expenditures made for their sports teams. Currently high schools are not required to disclose any data on equity in sports, making it difficult for schools and parents to ensure fairness in athletics programs. Better information can help high schools and parents of schoolchildren foster fairness in athletic opportunities for girls and boys.

As a testament to the power of these women, their fan appreciation tour, which kicks off in Rochester, on September 25, sold out all 14,000 seats in just minutes. I have introduced a bill in Congress, H. Res. 373, which supports the reestablishment of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Hopefully, some day the WUSA will return, to give every amazing female soccer player the professional athletic opportunities in the United States they so deeply deserve.

Thank you to all the women Olympic athletes for transforming the lives and attitudes of today's young women, and for those of generations to come. We all know that girls who compete in sports perform better in school, are physically healthier and have a stronger self-esteem. Our girls have learned that sweat is sexy, brawn is beautiful and a little dirt never hurt anyone. You have truly given us all a whole lot more to celebrate, work hard for and dream about.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the amazing achievements of the women athletes at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In particular, I want to celebrate the success of the United States Women's Soccer Team, who made us proud by winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, beating Brazil 2-1 in overtime, on August 26, 2004.

These women have become some of the most famous athletic role models on earth. They have taught our children that if you work hard and you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. Indeed, these women are helping to fundamentally change perceptions about athletics. It is no surprise that our little girls look up to these strong, motivated women for inspiration. But to also see little boys wearing jerseys emblazoned with the names of their favorite women players is a wonderful sight.

I would especially like to recognize Abby Wambach, who is from my district in Rochester, New York. When she scored the goal that secured the gold medal, nowhere in the world cheered louder than Rochester. In addition, every other woman on the Olympic soccer team also deserves our recognition and congratulations: Shannon Boxx, Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Kristin Luckenbill, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Heather O'Reilly, Cindy Parlow, Christie Rampone, Cat Reddick, Briana Scurry, Lindsay Tarpley, and Aly Wagner.

As a testament to the power of these women, their fan appreciation tour, which kicks off in Rochester, on September 25, sold out all 14,000 seats in just minutes. I have introduced a resolution in Congress, H. Res. 373, which supports the reestablishment of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Hopefully, some day the WUSA will return, to give these amazing female athletes the professional athletic opportunities in the United States they so deeply deserve.

Thank you to all the women Olympic athletes for transforming the lives and attitudes of today's young women, and for those of generations to come. We all know that girls who compete in sports perform better in school, are physically healthier and have a stronger self-esteem. Our girls have learned that sweat is sexy, brawn is beautiful and a little dirt never hurt anyone. You have truly given us all a whole lot more to celebrate, work hard for and dream about.