[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 126 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING SPIRIT OF JACOB MOCK DOUB AND EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS 
THAT ``NATIONAL TAKE A KID MOUNTAIN BIKING DAY'' SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED 
                       IN JACOB MOCK DOUB'S HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mr. BURR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution, and 
do so on behalf of the 400 members of the International Mountain 
Bicycling Association in North Carolina, as well as the 1,500 members 
of affiliated cycling clubs.
  It is appropriate that the House is considering this resolution 
today. On Saturday, I.M.B.A. brought together kids and adults across 
the country to hold the first ``National Take A Kid Mountain Biking 
Day.''
  According to the Surgeon General, the percentage of youth that are 
overweight has nearly tripled in the last twenty years. Forecasts 
predict that the current generation of our children could actually have 
a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Childhood obesity is 
reaching epidemic proportions. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance 
of becoming overweight or obese adults. NIH research indicates that the 
large increase in childhood obesity rates can be traced to overeating 
and a lack of exercise.
  This resolution, Mr. Speaker, was drafted in memory of Jack Doub, an 
avid teenage mountain biker who had a passion for introducing others to 
the sport. Jack saw the need for kids to get off the couch, get 
outside, and get some exercise. After being introduced to mountain 
biking at age 11 near Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, he won 
almost every cross-country race he entered for two years. Between the 
ages of 14 and 17, he became a top national-level downhill and slalom 
competitor. He actively encouraged others--particularly kids--to ride 
bicycles. He was a leader in every sense of the word.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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