[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of the 11th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, 
Thursday, February 6, 1997. This day has been set aside to show the 
Nation's commitment to promoting the physical well-being and mental 
health of women and girls through physical activity.
  National Girls and Women in Sports Day is instrumental in encouraging 
females of all ages to participate in sports. Regular exercise 
increases physical condition by lowering levels of blood sugar, 
cholesterol, and blood pressure. In addition, sports has been shown to 
help women feel greater confidence, self esteem and pride.
  As the celebration of Black History month begins, it is my hope that 
this day will open the eyes of many African-American women who are 
twice as likely to be overweight as white women and 20 percent less 
likely to exercise regularly. Compared to white Americans, African-
Americans under the age of 64 are 10 percent more likely to get heart 
disease, 30 percent more likely to have diabetes, and over 50 percent 
more likely to suffer from hypertension.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like for my participation in today's events to 
serve as a model of the dedication to physical fitness that should be 
exhibited by other women, particularly African-American women. Finally, 
I would like to applaud the organizations whose combined efforts made 
this day possible: Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., the National Association 
for Girls and Women in Sport, the Women Sports Foundation, and the 
YWCA.

                          ____________________