In Birch Bayh's eyes, women should be given the same chances that men have. Women deserved equality and this was evident in his legislation.
Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana, considered the "father" of Title IX, the landmark federal legislation created more than 30 years ago that greatly expanded educational and athletics opportunities for girls and women, was honored during half-time of the women's basketball game between UConn and Rutgers on Martin Luther King Day.
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| Former U.S. Senator |
"Thanks to Title IX, women have taken their rightful place in American education - as students, teachers, administrators, and athletes," said U.S. Sen. Christopher R. Dodd, in joining University President Philip Austin to present the award. "Sen. Bayh's leadership as original author of this legislation has directly impacted the millions of young women whose lives have been touched and bettered through equality in education, collegiate athletics, and opportunities for success in virtually every aspect of American life."
Although UConn began admitting women in 1893, many publicly funded universities did not admit women, and many women who did enter universities were discouraged from studying math, science, law, or medicine, before Title IX became law in 1972, Dodd said. Perhaps the most profound change came in the area of athletics, however; and participation by women in virtually every sport has boomed since passage of the act.
"Title IX represented a major advance not just for women, but for all Americans and for higher education," said University President Philip E. Austin. "I'm proud that UConn has a long and worthy tradition in making a university education accessible to women, and I'm especially proud of our efforts to encourage women to pursue their aspirations in fields in which they have been historically underrepresented.
"And of course, the success of our women's sports programs and what that means for all the people of Connecticut speaks for itself," Austin added.
Sen. Bayh also played a leadership role in many other areas and in framing two Constitutional amendments: the 26th Amendment, which lowered the legal voting age to 18, and the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed Constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal rights to women, which has been ratified by 35 states, including Connecticut.
Bayh, who also served in the Indiana House of Representatives, represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1963 to 1981.
But for Evan Bayh, this apple has fallen far from the tree...
Senator Bayh sent out this wonderful message for fathers on Father’s Day to the Hoosiers he represents. He missed sending out a message for mothers…tells you a lot, doesn’t it. He is up for re-election next year….Hoosiers mothers, are you paying attention?
Watch out for these bill just introduced:
S. 1309, introduced by Sen. Evan Bayh, (D-IN) and two co-sponsors.
H.R. 2979, introduced by Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-7) and 27 co-sponsors.
President Obama told Senator Bayh last year he would sign the bill when he gets it.
The 2006 attempt at this bill (with U.S. Senator Barack Obama as one of the two co-sponsors) died:
The list below shows legislation in this and previous sessions of Congress that had the same title as this bill. Often bills are incorporated into other omnibus bills, and you may be able to track the status of provisions of this bill by looking for an omnibus bill below. Note that bills may have multiple titles.
This one needs to die too.
Is it fair for our government tax dollars to go help take children from mothers, to help fund a custody battle in court, help that is only available to fathers? These funds pay for dads to do this. All dads are not good (see Dastardly Dads) Why should we help abusers take children from their moms. The American Judge's Association knows this is a problem, why do you want to fund abusers to take custody of the children?
Yes, Evan, your dad took time to be with you. He didn't seek to take your mother out of your life though, did he? Yes, this apple has fallen very far from the tree.
