[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 288 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 288

   Recognizing the importance of park and recreation facilities and 
    expressing support for the designation of the month of July as 
                ``National Park and Recreation Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2009

Mr. Barrow (for himself and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
                               Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the importance of park and recreation facilities and 
    expressing support for the designation of the month of July as 
                ``National Park and Recreation Month''.

Whereas public parks and recreation systems are dedicated to enhancing the 
        quality of life for residents in communities around the country through 
        recreation programming, leisure activities, and conservation efforts;
Whereas parks, recreation activities, and leisure experiences provide 
        opportunities for young people to live, grow, and develop into 
        contributing members of society; create lifelines and continuous life 
        experience for older members of the community; generate opportunities 
        for people to come together and experience a sense of community; and pay 
        dividends to communities by attracting businesses, jobs, and increasing 
        housing value;
Whereas parks and recreation services play a vital role in creating active and 
        healthy communities, and the majority of older adults who visit parks 
        report moderate or high levels of physical activity during their visit 
        and 50 percent of older adults who participated in light to moderate 
        aerobic park activity report being in a better mood after visiting 
        parks;
Whereas parks and recreation facilities foster a variety of activities that 
        contribute to a healthier United States, such as introducing injured 
        military veterans and those with physical disabilities to physical 
        activity, mobilizing urban communities to use chronic disease prevention 
        practices, working with local school systems to develop science-based 
        curricula to educate children on nutrition and activity, connecting 
        children with nature, and combating obesity in youth;
Whereas the creation of places for physical activity, combined with information 
        outreach, produced a 48.4 percent increase in the frequency of physical 
        activity;
Whereas more than 75 percent of Unites States citizens use park and recreation 
        facilities to maintain fitness and to remain socially interactive, which 
        are critical to maintaining community cohesion and pride;
Whereas community recreation programs at park and recreation facilities provide 
        children with a safe refuge and a place to play, which helps to reduce 
        at-risk behavior such as drug use and gang involvement;
Whereas 69 percent of the Unites States population believes in local park and 
        recreation services, which supports the idea that such parks and 
        services should be funded by taxes and user fees;
Whereas public parks and recreation facilities create enormous economic value 
        through increased partnership, which improves the job base and the 
        economic viability of the local economy, including business relocation 
        and expansion in the community and increased tourism; and
Whereas parks and recreation facilities reduce fuel costs and commute times by 
        providing a place close to home to relax, exercise, and reduce stress: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the great societal value of parks and 
        recreation facilities and their importance in local communities 
        across the United States;
            (2) recognizes and honors the vital contributions of 
        employees and volunteers in park and recreation facilities; and
            (3) supports the designation of a ``National Park and 
        Recreation Month''.
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