[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1036 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1036

  Expressing support for the annual designation of the first Saturday 
         after the Spring Equinox as ``National Day of Play''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 4, 2026

     Mr. Bera (for himself and Mr. Flood) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the annual designation of the first Saturday 
         after the Spring Equinox as ``National Day of Play''.

Whereas the U.S. Surgeon General has formally declared an epidemic of loneliness 
        and social isolation, highlighting its health impacts such as higher 
        risk for anxiety, depres-sion, heart disease, dementia, and a shorter 
        life span;
Whereas people are spending less time with family and friends and are less 
        involved in their communities;
Whereas a 2022 study found that families spend a significant portion of shared 
        physical spaces in alone-together time, meaning individuals are present 
        but engaged in their own activities such as using devices;
Whereas studies suggest that 21 percent of adults in the U.S. feel lonely;
Whereas only about one in three adults receives the recommended amount of 
        physical activity each week, with less than 5 percent participating in 
        30 minutes of activity each day;
Whereas community-focused events, shared activities that re-quire collaboration, 
        and acts of service for the common good can bring a community together 
        and promote social connection;
Whereas social connectedness reflects the continuum of meet-ing social 
        connection needs;
Whereas social connection can help reduce the risk of chronic disease and 
        serious illness;
Whereas social connection can improve our ability to manage stress, anxiety, and 
        depression;
Whereas social connection encourages healthy eating habits and physical 
        activity;
Whereas important communities such as neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, 
        workplaces, and parks and recreation centers, offer social connections;
Whereas play can be defined as an activity that is self-chosen, intrinsically 
        motivated, and conducted in an active, but relatively non-stressed frame 
        of mind;
Whereas play is fundamentally connected to social connection as it provides 
        space to develop and practice essential so-cial skills such as 
        communication, cooperation, empathy, and negotiation;
Whereas play promotes brain development, executive function skills, stress 
        reduction, creativity, and problem-solving skills, while also 
        strengthening relationships and fostering healthy social-emotional 
        growth;
Whereas play is a proven stress reliever for both children and adults, promoting 
        overall well-being;
Whereas play reduces obesity and associated diseases;
Whereas children today spend up to 35 percent less time playing freely outdoors 
        due to a combination of factors including increased screen time;
Whereas excessive device use has detrimental physical and mental health impacts;
Whereas long-term consequences of excessive device use in-clude impaired social 
        development and cognitive function, particularly in children;
Whereas excessive device use can foster an absent presence, where individuals 
        are physically together but mentally disengaged, leading to reduced 
        quality in face-to-face interactions and increased feelings of social 
        isolation;
Whereas taking a break from electronics and screen time can provide significant 
        physical, mental, and social benefits;
Whereas a National Day of Play advocates for and celebrates the essential role 
        of play and social connections;
Whereas a National Day of Play encourages individuals to put down their devices 
        and participate in community or-ganized events;
Whereas a National Day of Play strengthens community bonds and encourages a 
        national focus on creating safe and healthy environments for all;
Whereas the Spring Equinox represents the official start of Spring in the 
        Northern Hemisphere, signifying rebirth, renewal, and balance;
Whereas the Spring Equinox marks when days begin to get longer; and
Whereas March 21st, 2026, is the first Saturday after the Spring Equinox: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) designates a ``National Day of Play'';
            (2) expresses support for the annual designation of a 
        ``National Day of Play'';
            (3) recognizes the importance of social connection for 
        mental, physical, and social development; and
            (4) encourages people to put their electronics down and 
        play.
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