Anna Eshoo: “I would like to start out today obviously in strong support of the Roemer amendment, a proposal to restore the ability…”

“I would like to start out today obviously in strong support of the Roemer amendment, a proposal to restore the ability of colleges and universities to carefully design and budget their own athletic programs. I would like to add this for the record, because some of my colleagues on the other side of this issue are talking about NCAA sports: In 1996-1997, this represents men's and women's sports. I do not know where all of this is coming from of what has been dropped. Look at what has been added, 360, this is what has been dropped. I think that this is a very provocative number and something that our colleagues should pay close attention to. Without the Roemer amendment, H.R. 6 would force institutions to make irrevocable decisions about which programs will receive funding far in advance of current requirements. The Roemer amendment strikes a provision which represents, in unparalleled Federal intrusion, Federal micromanagement and Federal mandates. The NCAA supports this amendment. Their statistics further reveal that the original provision is unnecessary. I am very, very proud to represent Stanford University whose outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments can be matched by few. The university sponsors 17 varsity women's sports, and their list of championships is stunning. National volleyball champions 3 of the last 4 years, national tennis championships 10 times in the last 20 years.…”