[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2491-S2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 199--DESIGNATING ``NATIONAL YOUTH FITNESS WEEK''

  Mr. TORRICELLI submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 199

         
       Whereas we are witnessing a historic decrease in the health 
     of our Nation's adolescents with only 22 percent of our 
     children physically active for the recommended 30 minutes 
     each day and nearly 15 percent of American youths almost 
     completely inactive;
       Whereas even physical education classes are on the decline 
     with 75 percent of students in America not attending daily 
     physical education classes and 25 percent of students not 
     participating in any form of physical education in schools, 
     which is a decrease in participation of almost 20 percent in 
     just 4 years;
       Whereas more than 60,000,000 people, \1/3\ of the Nation's 
     population, are overweight and even more disturbing, the 
     percentage of overweight adolescents has doubled in the last 
     30 years;
       Whereas these serious trends have resulted in a decrease in 
     the self-esteem of, and an increase in the risk of future 
     health problems for, our Nation's adolescents;
       Whereas adolescents represent the future of the Nation and 
     the decrease in physical fitness in the United States may 
     destroy our future potential unless we invest in our youthful 
     population today to increase our productivity and stability 
     tomorrow;
       Whereas regular physical activity has proven effective in 
     fighting depression, anxiety, premature death, diabetes, 
     heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and a 
     variety of weight problems;
       Whereas physical fitness campaigns help encourage 
     consideration of the mental and physical health of our 
     Nation's youth; and
       Whereas Congress should take steps to reverse a trend 
     which, if not resolved, could destroy future opportunities 
     for millions of today's youth because a healthy child makes a 
     healthy, happy, and productive adult: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning with the last Sunday in 
     April of each calendar year as ``National Youth Fitness 
     Week'';
       (2) urges parents, families, caregivers, and teachers to 
     encourage and help adolescents to participate in athletic 
     activities and to teach adolescents to engage in healthy 
     lifestyles; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation each 
     calendar year designating such week as ``National Youth 
     Fitness Week'' and encouraging the people of the United 
     States to observe this week with appropriate activities and 
     celebrations.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to address a crisis 
facing our youngest citizens. Physical inactivity among our children is 
threatening the very foundation of the health of our nation. Physical 
inactivity and poor diet together account for at least 300,000 deaths 
in the United States each year. Only tobacco use contributes to more 
preventable deaths. More than 58 million American adults, one third of 
the population, are overweight or obese. Even more alarming, childhood 
obesity rates are rising with 22 percent of children now overweight, a 
percentage that has doubled in the past 30 years.
  This growing trend of inactivity is especially dangerous for our 
younger generations. According to the National Center for Health 
Statistics, nearly half of our young people aged 12-21 do not engage in 
vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. In fact, only 22 percent 
of American children are physically active for the recommended 30 
minutes each day and nearly 15 percent are completely inactive. As the 
Centers for Disease Control point out, these destructive behaviors 
established during youth are likely to extend into adulthood. We must 
be proactive in setting a positive example for our children and stop 
the negative behavior before it starts.
  To plant the seed for a healthy future, we must continue to cultivate 
and educate our children. Fostering enjoyment of exercise in our 
adolescents will spur them to maintain a healthy lifestyle into 
adulthood. The result will be fewer physical and mental disorders and 
increased productivity. As Dr. C. Everett Koop recently pointed out 
``this is not an issue requiring additional fact-finding before action 
is taken.'' The time for action is now.
  A national commitment to lifetime fitness must be fostered. Congress 
has the opportunity and the responsibility to step forward and take a 
crucial leadership role. Several programs are currently addressing this 
important issue

[[Page S2492]]

but they need our active support: the CDC's National Physical Activity 
Initiative, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, C. 
Everett Koop's ``Shape Up America'' campaign, the YMCA's Healthy Kids 
Day, and most recently, the National Sporting Good Association's 
``Wannabe Cool, Gottabe Active'' campaign.
  These programs, and others like them, need our encouragement, our 
gratitude and our support. That is why I am here today. To submit a 
resolution declaring the last week in April National Youth Fitness 
Week. Together we can reverse the trend in physical inactivity and 
restore our nation to a course of wellness, fitness and productivity. 
It is our responsibility as the nation's leaders to ensure a healthy 
America.

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