Wrestling community encouraged to register now for Colorado Springs Title IX meeting, set for Octobe

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
09/19/2002


YOU MAY STILL REGISTER FOR THE COLORADO SPRINGS TITLE IX MEETING; THOSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE MEETING IN SAN DIEGO SHOULD ALSO REGISTER RIGHT AWAY!!!    Those interested in attending the federal Title IX Town Hall meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo. in October still have an opportunity to register and be included.    The government announced that those interested in participating in the public portions of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics must first register with the commission in order to guarantee the opportunity to attend and speak on the issue.    The Town Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo. will be on October 22 and 23. The public portion of the meeting, where citizens may address the commission, will be on Tuesday, October 22.    The Commission has not yet announced the location of the meeting. It will be posted on TheMat.com as soon as it is available.    The participation opportunities at all meetings will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want your voice to be heard, you must register before others take your spot away.    At each Town Hall, each speaker will have between 3-5 minutes of time. There may be limits on the number of people who can attend and speak, so it is very important to register right now! Don't wait - DO IT RIGHT NOW.    The speaking portion of the Town Hall in the most recent meeting in Chicago was filled up in advance, and some people that wished to speak may not have gotten their chance. Make sure those who seek change get the chance to share their testimony!!!    The Town Halls will be held in only one more city, with public participation on the following date: San Diego, Calif. (November 20).     USA Wrestling strongly requests that those who wish to attend the San Diego meetings register right away as well.     Please send notification to the commission this way:  E-mail -  OpportunityinAthletics@ed.gov  Fax - 202-260-4560  You may mail the letter, but there is a delay in delivery due to heightened security, so we insist that you e-mail and FAX.    Below is a draft registration notice that can be used to provide registration notice to the commission. Please cut and paste this draft letter, complete the missing information, and send to the commission right away.    DRAFT LETTER  Dear Commission on Opportunity in Athletics:    My name is NAME. I live at ADDRESS. My phone number is PHONE NUMBER.    I am registering to attend and am signing up to reserve time to speak during the public portion of the Town Hall meeting of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics.    I represent the sport of YOUR SPORT, as well as the Olympic family.    I will attend the Town Hall meeting in CITY. I will be attending on DATE YOU WILL ATTEND.    Thank you for the opportunity to present my testimony as a member of the public at the Town Hall meeting.    Sincerely,  YOUR SIGNATURE    Those in the wrestling community who will be attending a meeting should also send a copy of their registration letter to Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling, who is helping coordinate wrestling's public participation in these meetings. Send your registration letter or email to Mr. Abbott via FAX - 719-598-9440 and/or via email - gabbott@usawrestling.org    SUBMIT WRITTEN MATERIALS - Those who will speak at the Town Hall meeting will have the opportunity to submit written information to the commission as part of the public presentation. According to the public notice in the Federal Register: "At the meeting, participants are also encouraged to submit five (5)  written copies of their comments. Persons interested in making comments are encouraged to address the issues and questions discussed."    Every single person who is attending is strongly encouraged to do this. Explain to the commission your position on the Title IX issue. Provide specific examples from your experience in the sports community. Add articles and other materials which support your position.    The first Town Hall meeting was held in Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 27-28. The second Town Hall meeting was in Chicago, Ill, Sept. 17-18. Many people involved in wrestling and other sports that have been adversely affected by Title IX quotas came to the commission meeting and spoke on the issues. The public testimony of these people did make an important difference, and we must keep up the momentum. USA Wrestling encourages everybody who can attend to sign up right now for the Colorado Springs and San Diego meetings.    Those seeking assistance with their written materials may contact Gary Abbott at e-mail - gabbott@usawrestling.org , as well as office phone 719-598-8181 or cell phone 719-338-7226.    SCHEDULE  October 22-23, Town Hall Meeting, Colorado Springs: Specific location to be determined.    October 22:   9:00-12:30 Three panels each composed of four invited speakers.  2:00-5:00 Presentations by the general public.     October 23:  Beginning at 9:00, Commissioners will regroup to review and process what they heard the previous day. The general public may observe this meeting; however there will not be opportunity for public comment.