[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HEALTHY PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. 
McGovern] is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, during the past several years, the 
American Health Foundation, which is based in New York City, has led 
the charge to reestablish National Child Health Day. Initially 
proclaimed by President Coolidge back in 1928, this day had 
unfortunately fallen from our national calendar before being taken up 
by this foundation. In an effort to bring Child Health Day back on to 
the calendar, Congressman John Porter and I recently invited Members of 
Congress to attend a bipartisan luncheon here in the Capitol which was 
hosted by the American Health Foundation. While focusing on children's 
health and healthy behavior is something we should do every day, Child 
Health Day has the potential to focus our Nation's attention on this 
issue like never before.
  Beginning on October 6, which is National Child Health Day, families 
across this country are encouraged to make the healthy practices 
pledge. This pledge consists of five healthy habits that our children 
can learn at a young age and which can create the foundation for 
healthy adult lives.
  I have been working to take the message of Child Health Day back to 
my home State of Massachusetts, and on October 6, Massachusetts will 
proudly unveil the first and only State report card on children's 
health modeled after the American Health Foundation's national 
publication. This report is being put together by a team of local 
volunteers to quantify our strengths and weaknesses in the area of 
children's health so we can see what we have done right and address 
those areas where we can improve.
  While we have several events planned in my district that will address 
both children's health and early childhood development, these efforts 
will be wasted if people do not take the message of keeping children 
healthy into their homes and to their own families.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take a couple of minutes today to share this 
pledge that has been put together with my colleagues, and I urge all of 
those parents who are watching here today to agree to sign this pledge. 
As my colleagues can see, the five items here are not impossible to 
achieve, and they could make a lasting difference to the lifelong 
health of our children.
  First, have a healthy breakfast. While those of us caught up in the 
rat race seem to rush around more today than ever before, there is no 
reason to leave for work without making sure that our kids have the 
nutrition they need to start their day. Let us show our kids that we 
care about this issue and make certain that we at least take the time 
to sit down with them for a healthy breakfast at least at a minimum 1 
day a week.
  Second, stop smoking. Children learn by example. Ninety percent of 
today's smokers became addicted while they were still children. If one 
personally cannot kick the habit, try to make it a habit not to smoke 
in front of your children or grandchildren.
  Third, engage in physical activities. Watching television is the No. 
1 after-school activity for American 6- to 17-year-olds. Childhood 
obesity is on the rise to the point where some 25 percent of our 
children are believed to be overweight. Let us make a pledge to teach 
our children the value of exercise. Supporting our children in sports 
or just getting out the door and taking a walk will teach our children 
the importance of healthy physical activity.
  Fourth, live and play safely. In my own State of Massachusetts, some 
40 percent of parents do not buckle their children in the car. Every 
day, buckle up. Put your children in the back seat with their seatbelts 
snugly fastened, secure rear-facing infant seats in the back seat, and 
have our children wear helmets when biking and in-line skating, and 
teach them the importance of sunscreen and proper sunglasses. We all 
know these few steps can really help save lives. We need to commit 
ourselves to making them a central part of enjoying the outdoors with 
our kids.
  Finally, we need to teach kids to take care of their teeth. 
Prevention here is so simple. In 1987, some 27 percent of our kids had 
untreated tooth decay. The number of children who do not brush 
regularly is staggering. Again, we are the ones who need to set a good 
example for our kids. Let us make a point to show our kids how 
important good oral hygiene really is.
  Mr. Speaker, although these tips require some effort and planning on 
our part, their long-term benefits will lead to the better health and 
full development of our children. Child Health Day gives us an 
important opportunity to lead the way toward healthier lives for our 
children. I urge my colleagues to join with me in reestablishing 
October 6 as a day for us to celebrate our national commitment to our 
kids.

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