[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  SENATE RESOLUTION 100--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE SENATE FOR THE 
 ESTABLISHMENT OF AN URBAN YOUTH SPORT INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 
                  THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

  Mr. DURBIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 100

       Whereas participation in sports and organized physical 
     education is essential to fostering healthy attitudes and 
     lifestyles in children;
       Whereas the National Association for Sport and Physical 
     Education reports that participation among American students 
     in physical education has declined dramatically;
       Whereas American children are experiencing obesity in 
     growing numbers, and data continues to highlight the link 
     between obesity and diabetes, heart disease, and other life-
     threatening medical conditions;
       Whereas youth physical fitness through sport improves 
     overall health, aids child development, improves self-esteem, 
     and increases academic success in the classroom;
       Whereas participation in adaptive sports improves self-
     worth, health, independence, and self-esteem for youth with 
     physical and cognitive disabilities;
       Whereas the rate of participation by urban youth in 
     organized athletics is approximately one-third of the rate of 
     suburban youth, and this is particularly true for young girls 
     in urban areas;
       Whereas both the world and United States populations are 
     becoming increasingly urban, and if the trend of urbanization 
     continues, by 2030 it is estimated that two-thirds of the 
     global population will reside in urban areas;
       Whereas establishing sports in urban settings remains a 
     particular challenge because cities often lack the physical 
     space needed for sports and efforts are often fragmented due 
     to communication and coordination challenges;
       Whereas the selection of the city of Chicago to represent 
     the United States in its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic 
     and Paralympic Games would leave a legacy of youth engagement 
     in sports in cities across our Nation;
       Whereas the city of Chicago and Chicago 2016 are committed 
     to an initiative establishing sustainable urban sport venues 
     and connecting sport venues with programs that address 
     coaching challenges, resource issues, and the difficulties of 
     parental support to run programs;
       Whereas the United States Olympic Committee and its 45 
     member organizations are currently investing in Olympic and 
     Paralympic sport and physical activity programs for Americans 
     in communities throughout the United States; and
       Whereas the creation of an Urban Youth Sport Initiative 
     would increase involvement of urban youth in sport, increase 
     the training and availability of coaches in urban areas for 
     youth sports, and enhance the ability of urban cities to 
     administer youth sports programs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the expansion of quality urban youth sports 
     programs to increase urban youth involvement in sport; and
       (2) supports the establishment of an Urban Youth Sport 
     Initiative in partnership with the United States Olympic 
     Committee.

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