[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 479 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 479

Recognizing the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced 
  diet, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 25, 2006

 Mr. Brown of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Baird, Mr. Thompson of 
    California, Mrs. Drake, and Mr. Jindal) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                              and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced 
  diet, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.

Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity 
        rates have nearly tripled in adolescents in the United States since 
        1980;
Whereas overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight 
        or obese adults;
Whereas research conducted by the National Institutes of Health indicates that 
        part of the large increase in childhood obesity rates over the past few 
        decades can be traced to overeating and lack of sufficient exercise;
Whereas the American Heart Association has found that cardiovascular disease is 
        the number one killer in the United States, and nearly 2,500 people in 
        the United States die of heart disease every day, an average of 1 death 
        every 35 seconds;
Whereas the American Heart Association advises individuals to consume omega-3 
        fatty acids found in fish for heart health, and that individuals who are 
        at high risk of heart disease or who have already been diagnosed with 
        heart disease can benefit from eating seafood;
Whereas a Harvard Medical School study found that increased intake of fish and 
        omega-3 fatty acids is related to a decreased risk of coronary heart 
        disease and death resulting from the disease, and of the 80,000 female 
        participants in the study, those who regularly consumed more fish had a 
        lower risk for coronary heart disease when compared to the women who 
        rarely ate fish;
Whereas the low-calorie and low-fat proteins, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 
        fatty acids found in seafood contribute to improved cardiovascular and 
        neurological health;
Whereas omega-3 fatty acids contribute to healthy neurological development in 
        children, and during the first few years of a child's growth, the omega-
        3 fatty acids consumed before birth and during infancy contribute to the 
        positive growth of a child's brain;
Whereas the Alzheimer's Association recommends adopting a ``brain-healthy'' diet 
        that includes cold water fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as 
        halibut, mackerel, salmon, trout, and tuna;
Whereas food experts at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the 
        Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise people in the United States to 
        consume more fish to live ``longer, healthier, and more active lives'';
Whereas the average person in the United States consumes approximately 5 ounces 
        of fish each week, less than half of the 12 ounces recommended by the 
        FDA for women of childbearing age, and less than the 2 meals of fish per 
        week recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines promulgated by the USDA;
Whereas the USDA MyPyramid recommends choosing fish more often for lunch or 
        dinner for a healthy diet; and
Whereas National Seafood Month is commemorated annually in October: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the health benefits of seafood consumption;
            (2) encourages eating seafood as part of a balanced diet at 
        least twice a week to help lower the risk of heart disease and 
        obesity; and
            (3) supports the goals and ideals of National Seafood 
        Month, and recognizes the importance of the educational efforts 
        provided to the Nation by the seafood community.
                                 <all>