[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 546--DESIGNATING MAY 2008 AS ``NATIONAL PHYSICAL 
  FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH'' AND THE WEEK OF MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 7, AS 
            ``NATIONAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS WEEK''

  Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 546

       Whereas regular physical activity helps increase endurance, 
     strengthen bones and muscles, control weight, and reduce 
     anxiety and stress, and may improve blood pressure and 
     cholesterol levels;
       Whereas about \2/3\ of young people in the ninth through 
     12th grades do not engage in recommended levels of physical 
     activity, and daily participation in high school physical 
     education classes has declined over the last 7 years;
       Whereas 39 percent of adults report they are not physically 
     active, and only 3 in 10 adults engage in the recommended 
     amount of physical activity;
       Whereas, in 2004, more than 9,000,000 children and 
     adolescents in the United States between the ages of 6 and 19 
     were considered overweight;
       Whereas obesity and inactivity are 2 major risk factors for 
     developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects millions 
     of people in the United States;
       Whereas many chronic diseases may be prevented by living a 
     healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and 
     a balanced diet;
       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, the American Heart Association, and the American 
     College of Sports Medicine, minimum physical activity for 
     adults consists of moderate activity for 30 minutes 5 days a 
     week or vigorous activity for 20 minutes 3 days a week;
       Whereas, according to a 1996 report by the Surgeon General, 
     positive experiences with physical activity at a young age 
     help to lay the foundation for being active throughout life;
       Whereas the President's Council on Physical Fitness and 
     Sports promotes regular physical activity to achieve and 
     maintain good health and to prevent chronic disease and 
     offers motivational tools through the President's Challenge 
     program for people of all ages to track physical activity; 
     and
       Whereas the month of May has been recognized since 1983 as 
     National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to encourage 
     physical fitness and activity and to promote health in 
     children and adults of all ages: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates--
       (A) May 2008 as ``National Physical Fitness and Sports 
     Month''; and
       (B) the week of May 1 through May 7, 2008, as ``National 
     Physical Education and Sports Week''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the month and the week with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

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