[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 860 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 860

  Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's 
                        Outdoor Bill of Rights.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 22, 2009

 Mr. Quigley (for himself, Mr. Lipinski, and Mr. Jackson of Illinois) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's 
                        Outdoor Bill of Rights.

Whereas the Chicago Wilderness is an alliance of over 240 organizations that 
        contribute toward the biodiversity and the quality of life in Chicago's 
        metropolitan region;
Whereas in 2007, Chicago Wilderness launched the ``Leave No Child Inside'' 
        initiative with the goal to get more children outside and to increase 
        the amount and quality of time that they spend there;
Whereas unstructured, outdoor play is important for the wholesome, balanced 
        development of the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical skills of 
        children;
Whereas research has demonstrated that outdoor play helps children manage 
        stress;
Whereas it is shown that natural spaces stimulate children's limitless 
        imagination and foster creativity;
Whereas children who connect with nature become more inventive and better 
        problem-solvers due to the hands-on learning that outdoor environments 
        provide;
Whereas participation in wilderness therapy programs is associated with improved 
        functioning in the academic performance, interpersonal relationships, 
        and household behavior of teenagers;
Whereas hiking and walking activities have been shown to lower high blood 
        pressure, decrease anxiety, and combat obesity;
Whereas being active in outdoor activities, such as fishing, is correlated with 
        reduced Attention-Deficit Disorder symptoms;
Whereas the presence of natural amenities near the homes of low-income urban 
        children is associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning;
Whereas children who grow up spending time in nature are also more likely to be 
        strong advocates for the environment when they reach adulthood;
Whereas the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights joint resolution passed the State 
        of Illinois; and
Whereas the Illinois General Assembly proclaimed June as ``No Child Left Inside 
        Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the initiatives of the ``Leave No  Child 
        Inside'' initiative;
            (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in 
        support of the goals and ideals of the Children's Outdoor Bill 
        of Rights;
            (3) encourages other States and territories of the United 
        States to support the goals and ideals of the ``Leave No Child 
        Inside'' initiative;
            (4) encourages media and press organizations to participate 
        in the ``No Child Left Inside Month''; and
            (5) recognizes and encourages the Children's Outdoor Bill 
        of Rights commitment to fight obesity, physical disorders, and 
        unawareness of natural amenities by promoting quality outdoor 
        activities for children and adults.
                                 <all>