[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5241-S5242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 133--DESIGNATING MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 7, 2009, AS 
             ``NATIONAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT WEEK''

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. Thune) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 133

       Whereas childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions 
     in the United States;
       Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services 
     estimates that, by 2010, 20 percent of children in the United 
     States will be obese;
       Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to 
     the unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity;
       Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support 
     normal and healthy growth in children;
       Whereas overweight adolescents have a 70 to 80 percent 
     chance of becoming overweight adults, increasing their risk 
     for chronic disease, disability, and death;
       Whereas Type II diabetes can no longer be referred to as 
     ``late in life'' or ``adult onset'' diabetes because it 
     occurs in children as young as 10 years old;
       Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 
     recommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes of 
     physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the 
     week;
       Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at school 
     and therefore need to be active during the school day to meet 
     the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines for 
     Americans;
       Whereas teaching children about physical education and 
     sports not only ensures that they are physically active 
     during the school day, but also educates them on how to be 
     physically active and its importance;
       Whereas only 3.8 percent of elementary schools, 7.9 percent 
     of middle schools, and 2.1 percent of high schools provide 
     daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire 
     school year, and 22 percent of schools do not require 
     students to take any physical education at all;
       Whereas research shows that fit and active children are 
     more likely to thrive academically;
       Whereas participation in sports and physical activity 
     improves self-esteem and body image in children and adults;
       Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting 
     children are in the control of the adults and the communities 
     in which they live, and therefore this Nation shares a 
     collective responsibility in reversing the childhood obesity 
     trend; and
       Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase 
     physical activity and participation of youth in sports: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 2009, as 
     ``National Physical Education and Sport Week'';
       (2) recognizes ``National Physical Education and Sport 
     Week'' and the central role of physical education and sports 
     in creating a healthy lifestyle for all children and youth;
       (3) calls on school districts to implement local wellness 
     policies as defined by the Child Nutrition and WIC 
     Reauthorization Act of 2004 that include ambitious goals for 
     physical education, physical activity, and other activities 
     addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and promoting child 
     wellness; and
       (4) encourages schools to offer physical education classes 
     to students and work with community partners to provide 
     opportunities and safe spaces for physical activities

[[Page S5242]]

     before and after school and during the summer months for all 
     children and youth.

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