[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 34--DESIGNATING NATIONAL YOUTH FITNESS WEEK

  Mr. TORRICELLI (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Durbin, and 
Mr. Reid) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 34

       Whereas the Nation is witnessing a historic decrease in the 
     health of the youth in the United States, with only 22 
     percent of the youth being physically active for the 
     recommended 30 minutes each day and nearly 15 percent of the 
     youth being almost completely inactive each day;
       Whereas physical education classes are on the decline, with 
     75 percent of students in the United States 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 4 years;
       Whereas more than 60,000,000 people, \1/3\ of the 
     population of the United States, are overweight;
       Whereas the percentage of overweight youth in the United 
     States 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, youth in the United States;
       Whereas youth in the United States represent the future of 
     the Nation and the decrease in physical fitness of the youth 
     may destroy the future potential of the United States unless 
     the Nation invests in the youth in the United States to 
     increase productivity and stability for tomorrow;
       Whereas regular physical activity has been proven to be 
     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 the youth 
     in the United States; 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 April 30, 1999, as 
     ``National Youth Fitness Week'';
       (2) urges parents, families, caregivers, and teachers to 
     encourage and help youth in the United States to participate 
     in athletic activities and to teach adolescents to engage in 
     healthy lifestyles; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the week with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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