Reid continues his defense of Title IX

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003 | 10:38 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Flanked by Olympic soccer star Julie Foudy, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., today stepped up his outspoken defense of Title IX, the 31-year-old law often credited with giving girls and women more access to sports.

Reid joined a group of female athletes and fellow senators who criticized a commission report that recommends changes in the way Title IX is implemented. President Bush directed Education Secretary Rod Paige to appoint a 15-member commission to study possible changes because Title IX has come under fire from critics who say the law has led to unfair cuts in men's sports.

The commission's report was sent to Paige today. It recommends that the Education Department consider implementing new rules that would allow universities more leeway in complying with the law. Critics say the changes would allow schools leeway in favoring boys' and men's athletics.

Two commission members, Foudy and former swimming champion Donna de Varona, say several of the report's recommendations would weaken Title IX. They intended to file a "minority report" to Paige, but learned today Paige would not accept it, Foudy said.

Foudy and de Varona say the department should keep existing policies and better enforce them because discrimination continues today.

Reid agrees that the law should be strengthened, not weakened, and he has spoken out in recent weeks in defense of the law. Reid argues that Title IX is largely responsible for high school athletics offered to girls in Clark County that were not available to his wife, Landra, when they attended Basic High School.

"If the president agrees with recommendations of this commission, he will turn back the clock for women and girls and halt all of the progress we have made to date," Reid said in a statement today.

Reid joined a press conference on Capitol Hill that featured actress Holly Hunter and actress and archer Geena Davis, who are organizing a national public awareness campaign. Three-time Olympic gymnast Domique Dawes and Democratic Sens. Patty Murray, Ted Kennedy and Democratic leader Sen. Tom Daschle, also spoke.

Murray said Congress could step in with legislation to protect the law if Bush indicates he is inclined to change Education Department rules.