[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL BACKPACK AWARENESS DAY

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2005

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, as September 21, 2005 is 
National School Backpack Awareness Day, I would like to recognize the 
many occupational therapists that live and work in my district. Each 
September, the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) 
members, students, and other health professionals join forces to alert 
the public, particularly teachers, parents, and children about the 
dangers of overweight backpacks and improper use.
  Occupational therapy is a health, wellness, and rehabilitation 
service provided by qualified professionals whose expertise includes 
anatomy, physiology, psychology and other disciplines. Thousands of 
occupational therapists work with children in school systems, pediatric 
hospitals, and other health care facilities everyday to improve skills 
that will help them perform daily tasks at home, at school, and at 
play.
  The AOTA is sponsoring its fourth annual National School Backpack 
Awareness Day to promote healthy backpack use among students. The goal 
of the National School Backpack Awareness Day is to reduce the load 
being carried to fifteen percent or less of a child's weight, to 
educate them on the risks of carrying too much weight and the proper 
ways to pack and wear their backpacks.
  Over 700 participants in schools, stores, health fairs, and other 
areas from all fifty states will take part to ``weigh-in'' over 200,000 
children and ensure their backpacks are fifteen percent or less of 
their weight. As part of the 2005 Healthy Families Community Fair in 
Clinton, MI in October, children and their families will be able to 
learn about the importance of loading and wearing backpacks the right 
way to avoid back and shoulder pain or strain, stooped posture, 
musculoskeletal pain, and aching heads.
  In schools, occupational therapists use their unique expertise to 
help children to be prepared for and perform important learning and 
school-related activities and to fulfill their role as students. 
Additionally, they play a critical role in training parents, other 
staff members, and caregivers regarding the education, health, and 
success of students with diverse learning needs.
  Please join me in support of all the school children, occupational 
therapists, and participants of the 2005 National School Backpack 
Awareness Day.




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