Americans Against Quotas seeks letters and calls to President Bush to reform Title IX

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/21/2003


Americans Against Quotas, a grassroots organization that was formed five years ago to advocate Title IX reform, has started a national campaign to write and call President George W. Bush about the issue.    Eric LeSher, the president of Americans Against Quotas, is requesting all who care about the future of sports opportunity to get involved RIGHT NOW. LeSher is asking people to send an e-mail to President Bush and call the White House to take immediate action on correcting the unintended consequences of this federal law on sports.    The Olympic sports community took an active role in bringing to the public the tremendous loss of opportunity for men athletes on the college level due to proportionality, one of the compliance procedures under current Title IX enforcement. This was brought to public attention during the seven-month national debate from the Commission on Opportunities in Athletics meetings during 2002 and early 2003.     In effect, the proportionality rule works as a gender quota that takes opportunities away from men without providing an effective incentive for developing fair opportunity for women.    The Commission on Opportunities in Athletics submitted its final report to the Department of Education in late February 2003, with numerous proposals to make Title IX more fair for all concerned. Since the submission of the report, the Bush Administration has done nothing to adjust the law as recommended by this federal commission formed by Education Secretary Rod Paige.    Below is a copy of an e-mail sent by LeSher to the general public seeking a mass effort to contact President Bush and demand action on this important issue:    MESSAGE FROM AMERICANS AGAINST QUOTAS    April 18, 2002    Athletes, Coaches, Parents and Fans:    I have been informed that now is the time to encourage President Bush and his staff to proceed with reforming the way Title IX is implemented. Please take five minutes to send a short e-mail message to the White House and call the switchboard at the White House to let them know this issue is very important to you. Use the e-mail address and phone number below.    WHITE HOUSE E-MAIL - president@whitehouse.gov     WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD - (202) 456-1414  (ask to leave a message for President Bush from a citizen)    Thanks for your time and for caring about the future of all Olympic sports.    Eric LeSher  President  Americans Against Quotas    Make the following points when sending your e-mail and making your phone call.    1. The Commission on Opportunities in Athletics has completed their report and has recommended several ways that will increase opportunities for men without hurting opportunities for women. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.    2. President Bush made the following statement which appeared in Chronicle of Higher Education when he was running for President - "I do not support a system of quotas or strict proportionality that pits one group against another.  We should support a reasonable approach to Title IX that seeks to expand opportunities for women rather than destroy existing men's teams." YOU EXPECT PRESIDENT BUSH TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS STATEMENT. INDEED IT IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS YOU VOTED FOR HIM.    3. The 2000 Republican national platform says "We also support a reasonable approach to Title IX that seeks to expand opportunities for women without adversely affecting men's teams." YOUR VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BUSH IN 2004 DEPENDS ON REFORMS BEING MADE IN THE WAY TITLE IX IS IMPLEMENTED.