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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		Press Conference to Release Report on Physical Activity and Sport
		In the Lives of Girls, Cincinnati, Ohio
DATE:		March 28, 1997

But, the results go even beyond national championships, television contracts, and the thousands of die-hard fans who sold out this auditorium in less than 6 hours. The report we are releasing this morning shows that girls who participate in sports and physical activity can take home the best trophy of all: good health and strong futures.

Since coming to Washington, I've spent a lot of time talking about the dangerous minefields -- like drugs and teen pregnancy -- that confront too many young girls today. The fact is, we know that girls are more likely than boys to be depressed, to attempt suicide, to have a negative body image, and to be physically inactive. Which comes as no surprise. Every day, the media bombards young girls with images telling them that smoking is glamorous, that drinking will make them popular, and that being unnaturally thin -- even gaunt -- is attractive.

So today, I'm pleased to be spotlighting a way that we can help all girls stay on track and out of trouble. For the first time ever, the government has issued an interdisciplinary report that looks at the impact of sports and physical activity on all aspects of a girl's life.

Let me be clear: You don't have to shoot like Kate Starbird. Or rebound like Katryna Gaither. From decades of research, we know that regular physical activity can reduce a girl's chances of obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and some cancers.

It can decrease stress and depression.

It can improve body image, self-confidence, and the other tools girls need to slam dunk in everything they do.

And, it can even help girls make the grade in school. In fact, research shows that female high school athletes are less likely to drop out and more likely to get higher grades and go on to college than their nonathletic counterparts.

The good news is, today more girls are getting into the game than ever before. From the Olympians who took Atlanta -- and the world -- by storm to the women basketball stars in Cinncinatti today, girls are competing -- and winning -- in numbers and venues that we never dreamed possible.

But, 25 years after we enacted Title IX, there are still too many barriers standing between young girls and their ability to get active.

There are still too many people who think getting fit isn't feminine and not enough opportunities for girls to participate at every level. Young girls are still twice as likely to be inactive as young boys. And, girls living in poverty -- especially girls of color -- still face even greater obstacles. That must change.

And our report tells us how. It tells us to start at day one and encourage all girls to get involved in sports and physical activity from an early age. It tells us we need more school-based and other recreational programs that foster skills and interests in girls that can last a lifetime.

It tells us we need to challenge the stereotypes and barriers that stop girls from participating in sports. And, it tells us we need to team up with parents, coaches, teachers and others to inspire all girls -- not just athletes -- to have fun while they exercise their minds and bodies. That's exactly what we're working to do.

This report is part of our Administration's Girl Power! campaign. With Girl Power!, we see physical activity as a cornerstone of our strategy to give 9-14 year-old girls the confidence and resilience they need to stay away from dangers like tobacco, drugs, and teen pregnancy and make the most of their lives. With posters, PSAs, and other materials, we want the Girl Power! message to reach girls everywhere -- where they live and learn and play.

Together, we need to tell all girls: It doesn't matter if you walk, dance, or play sports. Just get smart. Get active. Get healthy.

But, government will never accomplish this alone. That's why we've worked with the U.S. National Women's Soccer champions to tell all girls that tobacco and fitness just don't mix. That's why the Olympic Gold Medalist, Dominique Dawes is appearing in Girl Power! posters and PSAs to encourage girls to stay active and stay away from drugs.

And, that's why I am challenging every coach, every sports manufacturer, every athlete, every teacher, every youth organization to stand with us and join this fight.

I'm proud to be joined this morning by Girl Scouts, which will be launching a major initiative this Fall to introduce its scouts not only to sports, but also to fair play, leadership, and life-long fitness.

I am proud to be joined by NIKE who is teaming up with the YWCA to introduce thousands of girls at the Y to the great game of basketball.

And, I am proud to be joined by some of the finest athletes -- not just the finest women's athletes -- but the finest athletes in the world.

When I was growing up playing softball and tennis on the Westside of Cleveland, I'll never forget the coaches, teachers, and family members who inspired me to get in the game and never give up.

Unfortunately, back then, prominent female athletes were few and far between. Not anymore.

Today, young girls are lucky enough to have heroes like Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, and Katie Smith -- heroes who are showing them is that if they work hard and play hard and shoot for the stars, the result will be: nothing but net.