IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1373 
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning May 2, 2010, 
as ‘‘National Physical Education and Sport Week’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 19, 2010 
Mr. ALTMIRE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Labor 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning 
May 2, 2010, as ‘‘National Physical Education and Sport 
Week’’. 
Whereas the week beginning May 2, 2010, is observed as Na-
tional Physical Education and Sport Week; 
Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to an 
unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity in the 
United States, which has more than tripled since 1980; 
Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support nor-
mal and healthy growth in children and is essential to 
their continued health and well-being; 
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, overweight adolescents have a 70 to 80 per-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:18 May 20, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1373.IH
HR1373
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1373 IH 
cent chance of becoming overweight adults, increasing 
their risk for chronic disease, disability, and death; 
Whereas physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, 
high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of can-
cers; 
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, pub-
lished by the Department of Health and Human Services, 
recommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes 
of physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of 
the week; 
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, only 17 percent of high school students meet 
that goal of 60 minutes of physical activity a day; 
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, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 1 in 4 children in the United States does not 
attend any school physical education classes and fewer 
than 1 in 4 children in the United States engage in 20 
minutes of vigorous physical activity each day; 
Whereas teaching children about physical activity 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 the importance of being physically 
active; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:18 May 20, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1373.IH
HR1373
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1373 IH 
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 classes or 
the equivalent for the entire school year, and 22 percent 
of schools do not require students to take any physical 
education classes at all; 
Whereas, according to that survey, 13.7 percent of elemen-
tary schools, 15.2 percent of middle schools, and 3.0 per-
cent of high schools provided physical education at least 
3 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 increased time in physical education classes can im-
prove children’s attention and concentration and result in 
higher test scores; 
Whereas participation in sports teams and physical activity 
clubs, which are often organized by schools and run out-
side the regular school day, can improve students’ grade 
point averages, attachment to schools, educational aspira-
tions, and the likelihood of graduating; 
Whereas participation in sports and other physical activities 
also improves self-esteem and body image in children and 
adults; 
Whereas children and youth who take part in physical activity 
and sports programs develop improved motor skills, 
healthy lifestyles, improved social skills, a sense of fair 
play, strong teamwork skills, and self-discipline and avoid 
risky behaviors; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:18 May 20, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1373.IH
HR1373
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1373 IH 
Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting chil-
dren are in the control of the adults and the communities 
in which children live, and therefore the Nation shares a 
collective responsibility in reversing the childhood obesity 
trend; 
Whereas efforts to improve the fitness level of children who 
are not physically fit may also result in improvements in 
academic performance; and 
Whereas the House of Representatives strongly supports ef-
forts to increase physical activity and participation of 
youth in sports: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Phys-
ical Education and Sport Week’’; 
(2) recognizes the central role of physical edu-
cation and sports in creating healthy lifestyles for all 
children and youth; 
(3) encourages school districts to implement 
local wellness policies, as described in section 204 of 
the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 
2004 (42 U.S.C. 1751 note), that include ambitious 
goals for physical education, physical activity, and 
other activities addressing the childhood obesity epi-
demic and promoting child wellness; and 
(4) encourages schools to offer physical edu-
cation classes to students and to work with commu-
nity partners to provide opportunities and safe 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:18 May 20, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR1373.IH
HR1373
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS