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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 503 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 503

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 9, 2009.
Whereas, May 1 through May 7, 2009, is observed as National Physical Education 
        and Sport Week;
Whereas childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that, by 2010, 20 
        percent of children in the United States will be obese;
Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to the unprecedented 
        epidemic of childhood obesity;
Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support normal and healthy 
        growth in children;
Whereas overweight adolescents have a 70 to 80 percent chance of becoming 
        overweight adults, increasing their risk for chronic disease, 
        disability, and death;
Whereas type 2 diabetes can no longer be referred to as ``late in life'' or 
        ``adult onset'' diabetes because it occurs in children as young as 10 
        years old;
Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children 
        engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, and 
        preferably all, days of the week;
Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at school and therefore need 
        to be active during the school day to meet the recommendations of the 
        Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans;
Whereas teaching children about physical education and sports not only ensures 
        that they are physically active during the school day, but also educates 
        them on how to 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 percent of high schools provide daily physical 
        education or its equivalent for the entire school year, and 22 percent 
        of schools do not require students to take any physical education at 
        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 days per week, or the equivalent thereof, for the entire school 
        year for students in all grades in the school;
Whereas research shows that fit and active children are more likely to thrive 
        academically;
Whereas participation in sports and physical activity improves self-esteem and 
        body image in children and adults;
Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting children are in the 
        control of the adults and the communities in which they live, and 
        therefore this Nation shares a collective responsibility in reversing 
        the childhood obesity trend; and
Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase physical activity and 
        participation of youth in sports: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes National Physical Education and Sport Week and the 
        central role of physical education and sports in creating a healthy 
        lifestyle for all children and youth;
            (2) calls on school districts to implement local wellness policies 
        as defined by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 
        that include ambitious goals for physical education, physical activity, 
        and other activities addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and 
        promoting child wellness; and
            (3) encourages schools to offer physical education classes to 
        students and work with community partners to provide opportunities and 
        safe spaces for physical activities before and after school and during 
        the summer months for all children and youth.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
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