[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3729-S3730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH AND NATIONAL PHYSICAL 
                       EDUCATION AND SPORTS WEEK

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 546, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 546) designating May 2008 as 
     ``National Physical Fitness and Sports Month,'' and the week 
     of May 1 through May 7, 2008, as ``National Physical 
     Education and Sports Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a resolution today 
with my colleague, Senator Wyden OR, designating the month of May as 
``National Physical Fitness and Sports Month'' and the first week of 
May as ``National Physical Education and Sports Week.''
  Developing healthy habits is important for all of us, as children, 
young

[[Page S3730]]

adults, and as we grow older. Current and past Presidents have 
recognized the month of May, the beginning of spring, as ``Physical 
Fitness and Sports Month'' for over 20 years. Around South Dakota and 
across the country, local YMCAs, afterschool programs, and other 
organizations take time during the month of May to recognize the need 
to get fit, stay active, and look at new ways to promote physical 
activity. This year, I am pleased we are able to recognize the 
importance of physical fitness through the Senate.
  As we talk more about health care reform and the uninsured, it is 
important to remember that each of us has a responsibility concerning 
our own care and to educate our children on the importance of staying 
healthy. Too often I hear from constituencies, such as school groups 
and health care providers, that childhood obesity and diabetes are on 
the rise--and it is not just affecting our health, but also our 
pocketbooks.
  According to my State and the Centers for Disease Control, more than 
50,000 South Dakotans have diabetes and projections show that number 
will continue to increase. Diabetes of course can cause severe 
complications and takes a tremendous toll on our society. The disease 
is associated with significant personal and social costs due to 
impaired health and quality of life.
  Heart disease is another significant and often related illness to 
diabetes that effects millions of Americans and costs Medicare and 
Medicaid, and therefore taxpayers, millions each year. In South Dakota, 
approximately 1,743 deaths--24.8 percent of all deaths--in 2006 were 
caused by cardiovascular diseases, including stroke.
  Now much of the burden of heart disease is due to smoking--and that 
is another problem we will continue to tackle through education at the 
state and local levels. But it is also helpful to know that both heart 
disease and type 2 diabetes are largely preventable. Also, obesity and 
inactivity are two of the major risk factors associated with these 
diseases---which means a healthy diet and regular physical activity at 
all ages can go a long way toward improving our quality of life and 
reducing our health care bills.
  For adults, it is recommended that minimum physical activity consist 
of moderate activity for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, or more vigorous 
activity for 20 minutes, 3 days a week. My daughters and I happen to 
have a passion for running, which is particularly popular this time of 
year in South Dakota.
  The month of May is also a time to recognize the importance of sports 
to our State and to our schools. Getting involved in your local school 
team--high school or college--or in other local teams is a great way to 
stay motivated and focused through school and to develop healthy habits 
that will last for many years. It is also a tremendously important part 
of community life in South Dakota.
  I am proud that this resolution has been endorsed by YMCA of the USA, 
AAHPERD--American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & 
Dance--the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, 
and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 546) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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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