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
That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day.
Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.