[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 370 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 370

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 12, 2009.
Whereas there are approximately 54,000,000 children and 7,000,000 adults who 
        spend their days in the Nation's 120,000 public and private schools;
Whereas over half of schools in the United States have problems linked to indoor 
        air quality;
Whereas children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards as they breathe in 
        more air per pound of body weight due to their developing systems;
Whereas children spend an average of 30 to 50 hours per week in school;
Whereas poor indoor environmental quality is associated with a wide range of 
        problems that include poor concentration, respiratory illnesses, 
        learning difficulties, and cancer;
Whereas an average of 1 out of every 13 school-age children has asthma, the 
        leading cause of school absenteeism, accounting for approximately 
        14,700,000 missed school days each year;
Whereas the Nation's schools spend approximately $8,000,000,000 a year on energy 
        costs, causing officials to make very difficult decisions on cutting 
        back much needed academic programs in efforts to maintain heat and 
        electricity;
Whereas healthy and high performance schools designed to reduce energy and 
        maintenance costs, provide cleaner air, improve lighting, and reduce 
        exposures to toxic substances provide a healthier and safer learning 
        environment for children and improved academic achievement and well-
        being;
Whereas new building construction, especially new school buildings, should be 
        designed to optimize energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and reduce 
        carbon dioxide emissions;
Whereas Congress has demonstrated its interest in this compelling issue by 
        including the Healthy High-Performance Schools Program in the No Child 
        Left Behind Act and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007;
Whereas our schools have the great responsibility of guiding the future of our 
        children and our Nation; and
Whereas April 27, 2009, would be an appropriate date to designate as ``National 
        Healthy Schools Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of 
National Healthy Schools Day.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.