IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 503 

Recognizing National Physical Education and Sport Week, and for other 

purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 4, 2009 

Mr. ALTMIRE (for himself, Mr. KIND, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. MCGOVERN, and 

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing National Physical Education and Sport Week, 

and for other purposes. 

Whereas, May 1 through May 7, 2009, is observed as National Physical Education and Sport Week; 

Whereas childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportio

in the United States; 

Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that, by 2010, 20 percent of children in the Uni

States will be obese; 

Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed t

unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity; 

Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support

mal and healthy growth in children; 


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Whereas overweight adolescents have a 70 to 80 percen

chance of becoming overweight adults, increasing the

risk for chronic disease, disability, and death; 

Whereas type 2 diabetes can no longer be referred to as 

in life’’ or ‘‘adult onset’’ diabetes because it occ

children as young as 10 years old; 

Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans r

ommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes o

physical activity on most, and preferably all, days o

week; 

Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at scho

and therefore need to be active during the school day

meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity 

Guidelines for Americans; 

Whereas teaching children about physical education an

sports not only ensures that they are physically act

during the school day, but also educates them on how 

be physically active and its importance; 

Whereas according to a 2006 survey by the Department of

Health and Human Services, 3.8 percent of elementary 

schools, 7.9 percent of middle schools, and 2.1 percen

high schools provide daily physical education or its e

alent for the entire school year, and 22 percent of sc

do not require students to take any physical education

all; 

Whereas according to the survey, 13.7% of elementary

schools, 15.2% of middle schools, and 3.0% of high

schools provided physical education at least three d

per week, or the equivalent thereof, for the entire s

year for students in all grades in the school; 


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Whereas research shows that fit and active children are m

likely to thrive academically; 

Whereas participation in sports and physical activity 

proves self-esteem and body image in children and adul

Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting c

dren are in the control of the adults and the communit

in which they live, and therefore this Nation shares a

lective responsibility in reversing the childhood ob

trend; and 

Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase ph

ical activity and participation of youth in sports: 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes National Physical Education and 

3 Sport Week and the central role of physical edu4 cation and sports in creating a healthy lifestyle 

5 all children and youth; 

6 (2) calls on school districts to implement loc

7 wellness policies as defined by the Child Nutriti

8 and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 that include 

9 ambitious goals for physical education, physical a

10 tivity, and other activities addressing the childh

11 obesity epidemic and promoting child wellness; and

12 (3) encourages schools to offer physical edu13 cation classes to students and work with community 

14 partners to provide opportunities and safe spaces f


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1 physical activities before and after school and dur

2 the summer months for all children and youth. 

Æ 


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