NCYS Legislative Summit and Rally 2000
February 29 through March 2, 2000
The NCYS Legislative Summit and Rally for 2000 was held February 29 through March 2 in Washington, DC.
NCYS leaders met with Senators and Representatives to discuss and strategize about key issues affecting youth sports.
The National Council of Youth Sports joined forces with Americans for our Heritage and Recreation organizing more than 500 conservation leaders, park, recreation, and wildlife directors, youth sports advocates, outdoor and sporting goods industry leaders joined Members of Congress, two-time Olympian Donna de Varona, and Sharon Robinson, the daughter of the late baseball great Jackie Robinson, for a rally on the steps of the nation’s capitol and strategy sessions to advance a permanent federal commitment to parks and wildlife this year.
The week's activities began with a reception at the U.S. Naval Heritage Center, hosted by the Trust for Public Land, and featuring Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and Representative George Miller (D-CA).
After the second day's strategy session, attendees ended the day on the steps of the Capitol Building with a Parks and Wildlife Rally hosted by Women’s World Cup Chair Donna de Varona – a two-time Olympic Gold medal winner – who brought women’s soccer to the forefront of American sports during their march to victory in last year’s World Cup. "Challenger", the celebrity eagle, who has flown at the World Series, White House, and Olympics, flew above the Capitol to the national anthem. Sharon Robinson, daughter of the late great baseball hero Jackie Robinson proclaimed Major League Baseball’s support for CARA as a vehicle to build character in children through organized youth sports. Many Members of Congress also spoke in favor of LWCF and of the urgent need to get CARA to the House floor for a vote.
