[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      NATIONAL HEALTHY SCHOOLS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 1280, ``Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for 
the goals and ideals of National Healthy Schools Day.''
  Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Paul Tonko for 
introducing this piece of legislation into the House of Representatives 
as it is important that we diligently work towards the improvement of 
deteriorating public schools across the nation and also work towards 
the improvement of construction techniques in schools.
  The issue of environmental hazards in schools has been a growing 
problem over the last several decades. It is unfortunate that in 
schools across the nation investigators can find unchecked renovations, 
pesticide misapplications, unsafe drinking water, and indoor air 
pollutants such as mold infestations.
  It is unreasonable to think that our children can receive the best 
possible learning environment when they are expected to learn under 
these types of conditions.
  There are also a wide range of problems stemming from poor air 
quality and ventilation problems in schools. It has consistently been 
shown that these types of air quality problems can lead to poor 
concentration, respiratory illnesses, learning difficulties, and even 
cancer in students.
  Today there are approximately 55,000,000 children and 7,000,000 
adults who spend their days in the Nation's more than 125,000 public 
and private schools. Students and teachers also spend an average of 30 
to 50 hours per week in school.
  These numbers equate to nearly 20 percent of our nation's population 
spending their days in schools across the country--many of which are 
currently facing deterioration in the quality of their buildings while 
in the face of massive budget cuts. Therefore it is critical that we 
work together to seek comprehensive solutions to the trend of 
deteriorating schools in our nation.
  A recent study showed that approximately one-third of public school 
principals reported that some environmental factors in their schools 
have interfered with classroom instruction. This report highlights an 
increasingly troubling trend among schools of deteriorating 
environmental factors.
  In fact school facilities with poor building quality can result in 
lower test scores, poor attendance, and health problems for students 
and staff. These problems are only worsened for the nearly 9 percent of 
American students who are known to have asthma. Asthma is also the 
leading cause of absence from school and is aggravated by poor air 
quality and ventilation problems in schools.
  To meet these challenges, I believe that we should begin working with 
school districts across the nation towards the implementation of 
healthy and high performance schools.
  These types of schools would be designed to improve indoor 
environments while reducing energy and maintenance costs. They would 
also provide for an improvement in the quality of ambient light, would 
reduce exposures to toxic substances and would provide a healthier and 
safer learning environment for children.
  Healthy and high performance schools are designed with specific 
environmental factors in mind, such as pollutant source controls, 
proper ventilation mechanisms, and moisture and mold controls. It is 
imperative that school districts in our nation recognize the importance 
of these new construction and maintenance techniques and work to ensure 
the improvement of student and teacher health across the board.
  By officially designating April 26, 2010 as `National Healthy Schools 
Day,' we in Congress will be sending a strong message to students and 
teachers across the nation that we intend to provide healthy and safe 
buildings for students to learn in. We will also be sending a message 
to school districts across the nation that it is vitally important to 
build new schools with renewable resource materials and energy 
efficient appliances.
  We must always ensure that schools and children receive all the 
necessary tools for their continued growth. Furthermore it is vitally 
important that we continue to work with state and local agencies 
including independent school districts across the nation for the 
implementation of these measures in public schools.
  I would like to again thank my colleague Representative Paul Tonko 
for introducing H. Res. 1280. I ask my colleagues for their support of 
this legislation as well as their continued support for children, 
teachers and public schools across the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 1280 and the rule.

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