Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 31 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request strong support by Congress for Title IX, the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.

Your Committees received testimony in support of the resolution from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Maui County Council, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, and two private individuals.

Your Committees find that Title IX is the one of the most important achievements of a pioneer for women's rights and professional advancement, Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink. The statute has had a tremendously positive and far-reaching impact on higher education, sports, and the status of women in America. In light of its cardinal importance to the nation as a whole, your Committees further find that the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act should not be repealed, weakened, or inadequately funded. This is not only out of respect for a tireless, life-long public servant. More importantly - as Congresswoman Mink would have been the first to point out – it is out of respect for the potential of half of the nation's people and the incalculable value to society of having that potential realized.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 31 and recommends its adoption.