#EMind: Edwards Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Title IX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes - (202) 225-8699

Edwards Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Title IX

Washington, D.C.  – Representative Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released the following statement celebrating the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, which falls on June 23.   Title IX was a historical, bipartisan achievement that led to enormous advances for America's women and girls – passed by a Democratic-led Congress, with the leadership of Rep. Patsy Mink (D-HI) and Sen. Birch Bayh (D-IN), and signed into law by President Richard Nixon.


"At a time when universities barred the admission of women and when female sport teams were scarce, Title IX marked a momentous step forward for women's equality in the classroom and on the playing field," said Rep. Edwards.  "In the 40 years since passage, Title IX has promoted equal access for women at all levels of education across the country."


Title IX is a standard that for 40 years has promoted equal opportunity for women in athletics and contributed to the athletic and educational achievement of hundreds of thousands of young women.  Since Title IX's passage, the number of girls who compete in high school sports has grown ten-fold – from fewer than 300,000 in 1972 to more than three million today.  Similarly, the number of young women who participate in college sports has grown six-fold – from fewer than 30,000 in 1972 to more than 190,000 today.


However, Title IX is not only about athletics.  It affects all areas of education.  Title IX has made it possible for women to pursue careers as lawyers, doctors, mechanics, and scientists.  It is important in bolstering equal access to educational opportunities in a full range of academic subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and math; and also ensuring an academic environment free of sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence.


"Title IX has made tremendous progress to root out gender discrimination and inequalities in athletics and education, but there is still a lot of work necessary to level the playing field between men and women throughout our society," added Rep. Edwards.  "We have seen repeated attempts in the 112^thCongress to limit women's rights. That is why I will continue to work with the President Obama and my Congressional colleagues to ensure that Title IX and the rights of all of America's women and girls are protected vigorously."

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#EMind: Edwards: Supreme Court's Decision to Uphold Citizens United Reaffirms Need for Constitutional Amendment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes - (202) 225-8699

Edwards: Supreme Court's Decision to Uphold Citizens United Reaffirms Need for Constitutional Amendment

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released a statement today following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Montana's state law to limit corporate campaign spending. The case, American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock, was a 5-4 decision that reaffirmed the ruling the court reached in Citizens United just two years ago.

"Today's Supreme Court ruling overturning Montana's limits on corporate campaign spending makes clear that a constitutional amendment is the only way to ensure that the American people, not corporations, are in charge of our elections and our democracy," said Congresswoman Edwards. "Since the disastrous Citizens United decision, we have seen an unprecedented amount of money from corporations and the super-wealthy flow into our political system, with experts estimating that $8 billion will be spent on the 2012 elections alone. This is unfair to ordinary citizens and unsustainable for a healthy democracy. We must act with speed and deliberation to stop this backdoor, anonymous corporate spending on our elections. The Supreme Court has closed the door to reasonable laws to regulate campaign financing--the constitutional amendment door is open and we owe it to the American people to walk through it."

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#EMind: Edwards' Statement On Supreme Court's Decision Regarding Arizona Immigration Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2012

Contact: Dan Weber/Ben Gerdes

(202) 225-8699

Edwards' Statement On Supreme Court's Decision Regarding Arizona Immigration Law

Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's ruling in Arizona v. United States.  In a 5-3 ruling, the Court rejected 3 of the 4 major provisions contained in the law, but upheld the provision known as the "check your papers" portion of the law.  This controversial provision requires state and local police to check the immigration status of people they stop or detain if there is "reasonable suspicion" that they are illegal immigrants.

"I am encouraged by today's Supreme Court decision that struck down the majority of Arizona's immigration law as unconstitutional," said Congresswoman Edwards.  "The Court's decision to uphold the "check your papers" provision places an important hurdle for law enforcement to avoid racial profiling. Indeed, the Court indicated that this portion of the law could face additional legal challenges once the implications of this policy are realized fully.

"The clearest lesson from today's ruling is that changes to our immigration system cannot be done in a patchwork approach with 20, 30, or 50 individual state laws.  The only real solution to immigration reform is a comprehensive federal law.  President Obama has taken administrative action; the Court has ruled on the Constitutional questions. Now, it's time for my Republican colleagues to stop standing in the way of common sense reforms that prioritize the interests of families and our economy."

The Supreme Court rejected the three provisions of the law that:

·         Make it a state crime for illegal immigrants not to have their federal registration cards;
·         Make it a crime for illegal immigrants to work, apply for work or solicit work, and;
·         Allow state and local police to arrest illegal immigrants without a warrant when probable cause exists that they committed "any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States.

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Dan Weber

Communications Director

Office of Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4)

318 Cannon House Office Building

Office: (202) 225-8699

Cell: (202) 297-6060

#EMind: Edwards Highlights $10 Million Tiger Grant to Complete Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes - (202) 225-8699

Edwards Highlights $10 Million Tiger Grant to Complete Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System

Washington, D.C. – Representative Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) highlighted today a $10 million grant from the Department of Transportation's TIGER 2012 discretionary grant program, to be matched by $5 million from the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia, to complete the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System.  In March of 2012, Rep. Edwards sent a letter of support to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlining the importance of the project to connect several communities to National Park lands and several popular destinations along the river.

"Today's announcement is great news for numerous communities in the 4^th Congressional District and throughout our region," said Rep. Edwards.  "The $10 million in federal funding complete the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System and will provide transportation alternatives for area commuters, support the revitalization of the Anacostia waterfront, and connect recreational and employment centers across the region.  I thank Secretary LaHood, the Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation for their support and efforts to complete this important project."

Click here to read the letter Congresswoman Edwards sent to Secretary LaHood.

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#EMind: Edwards' Statement on Surface Transportation Conference Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes

(202) 225-8699

Edwards' Statement on Surface Transportation Conference Agreement

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4), a Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released this statement today following passage of the conference agreement on H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. The agreement authorizes highway and transit programs for 27 months, includes necessary, national transit safety requirements, a 5-year reauthorization of the flood insurance program,  and a one-year extension of the current student loan rates.

"I am pleased that 100 days after the Senate passed a transportation bill with 74 votes, House Republicans have yielded on their partisan approach to repairing our nation's roads, railways, and bridges. This is not an ideal transportation bill – but, it's past time to get people to work. This bill will create or save over 2 million jobs and help rebuild our nation's infrastructure without the unnecessary, partisan policy riders involving coal ash and the Keystone Pipeline – provisions that have no place in a highway bill."

"Today is also a last minute victory for our nation's students and their parents who could not afford to see loan rates double at a time of record high unemployment for our young people. Without action, the loan rates would have doubled for 7.4 million students, costing each student borrower $1,000 in additional repayment costs. That would have been unacceptable.

"I do not agree with all of the provisions included in today's conference agreement, particularly involving the environmental review process and the elimination of transit operating assistance, necessary for our metro system. Nonetheless, I could not allow those objections to stand in the way of an agreement critical to our nation's students, transportation workers, and economic recovery. Republicans attempted that approach with almost disastrous consequences – our country deserves much better."

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#EMind: Edwards' Independence Day Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes

(202) 225-8699

Edwards' Independence Day Statement

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released the following statement to commemorate Independence Day.

"Our Independence Day is an opportunity to celebrate the birth of our nation, look back on our incredible history, and take inspiration from the challenges we have overcome to address those that still lie ahead.

"This Independence Day, thanks to the hard work and dedication of millions of Americans, our country continues to become stronger and more competitive. However, we still face daunting challenges that require thoughtful analysis and sound public policy. Unfortunately, we remain bogged down in partisan politics, ranging from an unprecedented assault on women's rights, budgetary brinksmanship, and unreasonable burdens placed on our federal workers. The solutions to these problems are evident and achievable, but they require prioritizing the needs of our country ahead of ideology to come to the table in good faith – willing to compromise to ensure the future prosperity and competitiveness of this country.

"It is an honor and a privilege to represent Maryland's 4th Congressional District. I wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July.

"And to all service members throughout the world, thank you for your service and sacrifice."

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#EMind: Edwards Statement on Republican's Partisan Decision to Hold Attorney General Holder in Contempt of Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2012

Contact:

Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes

(202) 225-8699

Edwards Statement on Republican's Partisan Decision to Hold Attorney General Holder in Contempt of Congress

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released this statement today following the House Republican majority's decision to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress.

"The decision by House Republicans to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress is unsubstantiated, unprecedented, and disgraceful. The fact that Republicans have moved the goalposts and balked at reasonable compromises proposed by the Department of Justice and the Administration is proof that this is a purely political ploy. It is hardly surprising that House Republicans would attempt to score political points over passing sound public policy, but this takes even their Conference into dangerous, unchartered territory. I am confident that the American people would prefer we focus on the real challenges facing our country, instead of political games bent on embarrassing Attorney General Holder and the Administration. In disrespecting the President, these unprecedented actions today demean the authority and integrity of the House, and that is a shame for all of us."

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