Senator Collins Announces Resolution Recognizing National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a resolution, authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), designating February 8, 2018, at “National Girls and Women in Sports Day.” The resolution seeks to increase awareness of the important and necessary role sports play in the mental and physical development of students in the United States.
“Participation in organized sports enhances students’ mental and physical health, fosters teamwork, and builds confidence,” said Senator Collins. “As the number of female athletes at the collegiate and high school levels continues to increase, it is essential that we ensure their safety. Congress recently took a significant step toward protecting athletes by passing a bill Senator Feinstein and I authored requiring amateur athletics governing bodies to report sex-abuse allegations immediately, putting an end to a thoroughly corrupt system that was exposed by hundreds of brave young women. I will continue to work with my colleagues to make certain that girls and young women have the opportunity to participate and compete in sports.”
“When we celebrate girls and women in sports, we celebrate the best in America. Opening the doors to sports to the other half of the population gave us unexpected benefits; a more educated, healthier, and engaged workforce,” said Nancy Hogshead-Makar, CEO of Champion Women. “This 32nd year was extra special with both the House and Senate having just passed the Safe Sport Act, assuring that all kids in non-school sports; club and Olympic sports, will be much less likely to be abused, either physically, emotionally or sexually. That’s all the more reason to celebrate!”
Last month, bipartisan legislation authored by Senators Collins and Feinstein that will help protect amateur athletes from sexual abuse passed the Senate and the House and will be signed into law tomorrow.
Click HERE to read the full text of the resolution.
