[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 57 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H2925-H2926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS MONTH AND WELLNESS CAUCUS

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize the 
month of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Since 1983, 
various individuals and organizations have focused on May as a time to 
promote awareness of the value of physical activity and the pursuit of 
happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Chronic diseases, 
including preventible illnesses like heart disease and stroke,

[[Page H2926]]

cause 70 percent of U.S. deaths and are responsible for three-quarters 
of health care spending. The great majority of these conditions are 
linked to risky health behavior such as obesity and lack of exercise.
  Congress should be drawing attention to the benefits of a healthy 
lifestyle and the good work being done by many employers to encourage 
healthy behaviors through workplace wellness programs.
  Mr. Speaker, that's why I am partnering with my colleague, Ron Kind 
from Wisconsin, to create a Congressional Wellness Caucus that I 
encourage my colleagues to join.

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