III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 100 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 2, 2009 Mr. Durbin submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation RESOLUTION Expressing the support of the Senate for the establishment of an Urban Youth Sport Initiative in partnership with the United States Olympic Committee.

Whereas participation in sports and organized physical education is essential to fostering healthy attitudes and lifestyles in children; Whereas the National Association for Sport and Physical Education reports that participation among American students in physical education has declined dramatically; Whereas American children are experiencing obesity in growing numbers, and data continues to highlight the link between obesity and diabetes, heart disease, and other life-threatening medical conditions; Whereas youth physical fitness through sport improves overall health, aids child development, improves self-esteem, and increases academic success in the classroom; Whereas participation in adaptive sports improves self-worth, health, independence, and self-esteem for youth with physical and cognitive disabilities; Whereas the rate of participation by urban youth in organized athletics is approximately one-third of the rate of suburban youth, and this is particularly true for young girls in urban areas; Whereas both the world and United States populations are becoming increasingly urban, and if the trend of urbanization continues, by 2030 it is estimated that two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban areas; Whereas establishing sports in urban settings remains a particular challenge because cities often lack the physical space needed for sports and efforts are often fragmented due to communication and coordination challenges; Whereas the selection of the city of Chicago to represent the United States in its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games would leave a legacy of youth engagement in sports in cities across our Nation; Whereas the city of Chicago and Chicago 2016 are committed to an initiative establishing sustainable urban sport venues and connecting sport venues with programs that address coaching challenges, resource issues, and the difficulties of parental support to run programs; Whereas the United States Olympic Committee and its 45 member organizations are currently investing in Olympic and Paralympic sport and physical activity programs for Americans in communities throughout the United States; and Whereas the creation of an Urban Youth Sport Initiative would increase involvement of urban youth in sport, increase the training and availability of coaches in urban areas for youth sports, and enhance the ability of urban cities to administer youth sports programs: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the expansion of quality urban youth sports programs to increase urban youth involvement in sport; and (2)supports the establishment of an Urban Youth Sport Initiative in partnership with the United States Olympic Committee.