Date: 2007-05-07
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 371 to recognize National Physical Education and Sports Week. which took place this year from May 1 to May 7. 2007. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: "The first wealth is health." Today. these words could not hold more significance. In an increasingly technologically advanced society dominated by the Internet. cell phones. BlackBerrys. and. yes. electronic video game controls. the evidence is growing and is more convincing than ever. People of all ages who are generally inactive can improve their health and wellbeing by becoming active at a moderate intensity on a regular basis. Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of a number of preventable diseases such as coronary heart disease. the Nations leading cause of death. and decreases the risk of stroke. colon cancer. diabetes. and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight. contributes to healthy bones. muscles and joints. reduces falls among elderly adults and is associated with fewer hospitalizations. Moreover. physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. People of all ages.benefit from participating in regular moderateintensity physical activity. such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week. These are facts we should impress upon our children to ensure they lead healthconscious lives. Yet. according to the Surgeon Generals "Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity." only half of adolescents participate in regular physical activity. and onefourth report no physical activity at all. In addition. we find that more than a third of young people in grades 912 do not regularly engage in physical activity. Additionally. daily participation in high school physical education classes dropped from 42 percent in 1991 to only 33 percent in 2005. Physical activity offers a broad range of benefits. including the prevention of obesity. improves selfconfidence and the overall sense of wellbeing. Physical education programs within school settings can set the stage for how children view physical fitness. activity levels. and future health. Physical education programs also include general health and safety information. as well as providing opportunities for students to learn how to cooperate with one another in a team setting. Equally important is the fact that physical education programs can teach students that physical activity can be fun. With a broad range of games and activities. children are exposed to forms of exercise that incorporate teamwork. strategy. skillbuilding exercises. and other curricula such as math. Indeed. physical education plays an important role in the development of an individual. just as a classroom education does. I join my colleague. Mr. ALTMIRE. in calling for the communities to work with schools. along with key community stakeholders to craft and implement a local wellness plan as required in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.