[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7131-S7133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. 
        Merkley, and Mr. Bennet):
  S. 1802. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry 
out programs and activities that connect Americans, especially 
children, youth, and families, with the outdoors; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I speak in support of a 
bill I am introducing called the Healthy Kids Outdoor Act of 2011. This 
bill will help the development of locally-based plans that will 
encourage kids to enjoy one of our nation's most cherished past-times: 
recreating outdoors.
  I am introducing the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2011 with the 
support of Senators Gillibrand, Merkley and Bennet. My friend and 
colleague Representative Kind of Wisconsin is introducing companion 
legislation today in the U.S. House of Representatives. I want to thank 
Rep. Kind for his leadership on these issues over the years. I 
especially want to thank him for the opportunity to steal his good idea 
and appropriate it for myself in the Senate.
  Specifically, the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act authorizes the U.S. 
Secretary of the Interior to provide grants, one per State, to eligible 
organizations for the development of State-level outdoor recreation 
plans. Working in cooperation with local partners, the eligible 
entities will develop plans designed to ensure that States have 
appropriate programs and infrastructure in place to help Americans 
effectively connect with the outdoors. These plans supplement current 
outdoor recreation planning by emphasizing how to use outdoor 
recreation resources and infrastructure, such as public parks, 
transportation and health systems, to facilitate outdoor activities. 
The plans supported by Federal funding under this act must be updated 
every five years based on evaluations of each state strategy and 
lessons learned from their implementation. Additionally, in order to 
ensure that state and local partners are contributing to this effort, 
funding recipients must provide a 25-percent non-federal cost share.
  Finally, this bill requires the administration to develop a national 
strategy to get Americans active outdoors and evaluate the health 
impacts of the State strategies authorized under the legislation. The 
national strategy, to be developed with significant public 
participation, should align with the State strategies and identify 
barriers to and opportunities for outdoor activities.
  Why is this important you might ask, especially at a time when we are 
looking at ways to cut spending and other programs?
  We live in an increasingly sedentary world that makes it more 
difficult for our Nation to reach the heights that it can achieve. 
Today's society provides more distractions from active lifestyles and 
the natural world around us than ever before. This is particularly true 
among children, who spend on average just 4-7 minutes a day in 
unstructured outdoor play while spending an average of 7.5 hours a day 
in front of electronic media. Partially as a result of this, obesity 
has become a major public health problem. Today, one in three children 
is either overweight or obese, whereas only about 4 percent of children 
in 1960 were. Working together, we must find proactive ways to reverse 
this harmful trend.
  Being overweight or obese can lead to many chronic health conditions, 
including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. All of these conditions 
are costly for health care purchasers and patients, reduce quality of 
life, and are among the top 6 leading causes of death each year. The 
good news is that, in the vast majority of cases, obesity is completely 
preventable. Particularly for children, if we teach them good eating 
and fitness habits early in life, they will have a much better shot at 
maintaining a healthy weight later in life. In addition, research 
demonstrates the myriad mental health benefits of active lifestyles 
that make use of green spaces outside the home.
  Furthermore, spending time in the outdoors, connecting with our 
public lands and waters and green spaces, furthers America's 
conservation legacy. For example, research demonstrates that hunters 
who become engaged in the sport as children are among the most active 
and interested sportsmen as adults.
  Spending time in the outdoors also supports the outdoor recreation 
industry. We have a large and growing industry in this country of 
supply stores, manufacturers, guides, hotels, and other important 
businesses that are the backbone of many rural communities. In fact, 
outdoor recreation activities add over $730 billion to the national 
economy every year. In this time of economic uncertainty, outdoor 
recreation is one of the bright spots in our economy.
  Additionally, at a time when disparities in health status and health 
insurance rates for minority populations are at an all-time high, 
particularly in my State of Colorado, the common sense goals of the 
Healthy Kids Outdoors Act can help level the playing field for good 
health across America. This legislation will make it easier for all 
Americans, regardless of cultural differences, geography or socio-
economic status, especially children and families, to connect with 
healthy, active, outdoor lifestyles and the natural world. By doing so, 
we can combat the obesity epidemic, improve public health overall and 
bolster America's proud legacy of conservation and outdoor recreation 
economy.
  Finally, I want to note that this bill could play a small role in 
making sure our children, as they reach adulthood, are qualified to 
serve in our U.S. military, if they so choose. As a member of the 
Senate Armed Services Committee, I have seen firsthand the studies that 
have shown that greater and greater numbers of young adults are 
ineligible to serve in the Armed Forces due to disqualifying health 
factors such as being overweight. Nearly one in four applicants is 
rejected for being overweight, which is the most common reason for 
medical disqualification. It's not a stretch to say that a more fit 
population can result in a more secure nation.
  This legislation is a small but important step we can take to promote 
healthy, active lifestyles supporting the use and enjoyment of our 
natural world. I want to thank the Outdoor Alliance for Kids, whose 
members include many of the country's leading conservation groups and 
outdoor recreation companies, for its support and help developing this 
bill. I also want to thank the Campaign to End Obesity for their 
endorsement of it. I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
advance this legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1802

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 
     2011''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Children today are spending less time outdoors than any 
     generation in human history, as evidenced by studies that 
     show children enjoy half as much time outdoors today as they 
     did just 20 years ago, while spending more than 7\1/2\ hours 
     every day in front of electronic media.
       (2) The health of our children is at risk as evidenced by 
     the growing obesity crisis where, during the 20-year period 
     between 1991 and 2011, the childhood obesity rate has more 
     than doubled and the adolescent obesity rate has tripled, 
     costing the economy of the United States billions of dollars 
     each year.
       (3) Our military readiness is declining as nearly 1 in 4 
     applicants to the military is rejected for being overweight 
     or obese, which is the most common reason for medical 
     disqualification.

[[Page S7132]]

       (4) Research has shown that military children and families 
     are facing increased stress and mental strain and challenges 
     due to multiple, extended deployments. Military family 
     service organizations have developed programs that connect 
     military children and families with positive, meaningful 
     outdoor experiences that benefit mental and physical health, 
     but they lack sufficient resources to meet increasing demand.
       (5) In addition to the negative economic impact of 
     childhood obesity, the outdoor retail industry, many local 
     tourist destinations or ``gateway communities'', and State 
     fish and wildlife agencies rely on revenue generated when 
     individuals spend time outdoors to create jobs in local 
     communities.
       (6) Over the past several years, urbanization, changing 
     land use patterns, increasing road traffic, and inadequate 
     solutions to addressing these challenges in the built 
     environment have combined to make it more difficult for many 
     Americans to walk or bike to schools, parks, and play areas 
     or experience the natural environment in general.
       (7) Visitation to our Nation's public lands has declined or 
     remained flat in recent years, and yet, connecting with 
     nature and the great outdoors in our communities is critical 
     to fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who 
     will visit, appreciate, and become stewards of our Nation's 
     public lands.
       (8) It takes many dedicated men and women to work to 
     preserve, protect, enhance, and restore America's natural 
     resources, and with an aging workforce in the natural 
     resource professions, it is critical for the next generation 
     to have an appreciation for nature and be ready to take over 
     these responsibilities.
       (9) Spending time outdoors in nature is beneficial to our 
     children's physical, mental, and emotional health and has 
     been proven to decrease symptoms of attention deficit and 
     hyperactivity disorder, stimulate brain development, improve 
     motor skills, result in better sleep, reduce stress, increase 
     creativity, improve mood, and reduce children's risk of 
     developing myopia.
       (10) Children who spend time playing outside are more 
     likely to take risks, seek out adventure, develop self-
     confidence, and respect the value of nature.
       (11) Spending time in green spaces outside the home, 
     including parks, play areas, and garden, can increase 
     concentration, inhibition of initial impulses, and self-
     discipline and has been shown to reduce stress and mental 
     fatigue. In one study, children who were exposed to greener 
     environments in a public housing area demonstrated less 
     aggression, violence, and stress.
       (12) As children become more disconnected from the natural 
     world, the hunting and angling conservation legacy of America 
     is at risk.
       (13) Conservation education and outdoor recreation 
     experiences such as camping, hiking, boating, hunting, 
     fishing, archery, recreational shooting, wildlife watching, 
     and others are critical to engaging young people in the 
     outdoors.
       (14) Hunters and anglers play a critical role in 
     reconnecting young people with nature, protecting our natural 
     resources, and fostering a lifelong understanding of the 
     value of conserving the natural world.
       (15) Research demonstrates that hunters who become engaged 
     in hunting as children are among the most active and 
     interested hunters as adults. The vast majority of hunters 
     report they were introduced to hunting between the ages of 10 
     and 12, and the overwhelming majority of children are 
     introduced to hunting by an adult.
       (16) A direct childhood experience with nature before the 
     age of 11 promotes a long-term connection to nature.
       (17) Parks and recreation, youth-serving, service-learning, 
     conservation, health, education, and built-environment 
     organizations, facilities, and personnel provide critical 
     resources and infrastructure for connecting children and 
     families with nature.
       (18) Place-based service-learning opportunities use our 
     lands and waters as the context for learning by engaging 
     students in the process of exploration, action, and 
     reflection. Physical activity outdoors connected with 
     meaningful community service to solve real-world problems, 
     such as removing invasive plants or removing trash from a 
     streambed, strengthens communities by engaging youth as 
     citizen stewards.
       (19) States nationwide and their community based partners 
     have some notable programs that connect children and families 
     with nature; however, most States lack sufficient resources 
     and a comprehensive strategy to effectively engage State 
     agencies across multiple fields.
       (20) States need to engage in cross-sector agency and 
     nonprofit collaboration that involves public health and 
     wellness, parks and recreation, transportation and city 
     planning, and other sectors focused on connecting children 
     and families with the outdoors to increase coordination and 
     effective implementation of the policy tools and programs 
     that a State can bring to bear to provide healthy outdoor 
     opportunities for children and families.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (A) a State; or
       (B) a consortium from one State that may include such State 
     and municipalities, entities of local or tribal governments, 
     parks and recreation departments or districts, school 
     districts, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit 
     organizations.
       (2) Local partners.--The term ``local partners'' means a 
     municipality, entity of local or tribal government, parks and 
     recreation departments or districts, Indian tribe, school 
     district, institution of higher education, nonprofit 
     organization, or a consortium of local partners.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (4) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
     States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
     Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any other 
     territory or possession of the United States, or any Indian 
     tribe.

     SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OR 
                   IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTHY KIDS OUTDOORS STATE 
                   STRATEGIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to issue one 
     cooperative agreement per State to eligible entities to 
     develop, implement, and update a 5-year State strategy, to be 
     known as a ``Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy'', designed 
     to encourage Americans, especially children, youth, and 
     families, to be physically active outdoors.
       (b) Submission and Approval of Strategies.--
       (1) Applications.--An application for a cooperative 
     agreement under subsection (a) shall--
       (A) be submitted not later than 120 days after the 
     Secretary publishes guidelines under subsection (f)(1); and
       (B) include a Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy meeting 
     the requirements of subsection (c) or a proposal for 
     development and submission of such a strategy.
       (2) Approval of strategy; peer review.--Not later than 90 
     days after submission of a Healthy Kids Outdoors State 
     Strategy, the Secretary shall, through a peer review process, 
     approve or recommend changes to the strategy.
       (3) Strategy update.--An eligible entity receiving funds 
     under this section shall update its Healthy Kids Outdoors 
     State Strategy at least once every 5 years. Continued funding 
     under this section shall be contingent upon submission of 
     such updated strategies and reports that document impact 
     evaluation methods consistent with the guidelines in 
     subsection (f)(1) and lessons learned from implementing the 
     strategy.
       (c) Comprehensive Strategy Requirements.--The Healthy Kids 
     Outdoors State Strategy under subsection (a) shall include--
       (1) a description of how the eligible entity will encourage 
     Americans, especially children, youth, and families, to be 
     physically active in the outdoors through State, local, and 
     tribal--
       (A) public health systems;
       (B) public parks and recreation systems;
       (C) public transportation and city planning systems; and
       (D) other public systems that connect Americans, especially 
     children, youth, and families, to the outdoors;
       (2) a description of how the eligible entity will partner 
     with nongovernmental organizations, especially those that 
     serve children, youth, and families, including those serving 
     military families and tribal agencies;
       (3) a description of how State agencies will collaborate 
     with each other to implement the strategy;
       (4) a description of how funding will be spent through 
     local planning and implementation subgrants under subsection 
     (d);
       (5) a description of how the eligible entity will evaluate 
     the effectiveness of, and measure the impact of, the 
     strategy, including an estimate of the costs associated with 
     such evaluation;
       (6) a description of how the eligible entity will provide 
     opportunities for public involvement in developing and 
     implementing the strategy;
       (7) a description of how the strategy will increase 
     visitation to Federal public lands within the state; and
       (8) a description of how the eligible entity will leverage 
     private funds to expand opportunities and further implement 
     the strategy.
       (d) Local Planning and Implementation.--
       (1) In general.--A Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy 
     shall provide for subgrants by the cooperative agreement 
     recipient under subsection (a) to local partners to implement 
     the strategy through one or more of the program activities 
     described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Program activities.--Program activities may include--
       (A) implementing outdoor recreation and youth mentoring 
     programs that provide opportunities to experience the 
     outdoors, be physically active, and teach skills for lifelong 
     participation in outdoor activities, including fishing, 
     hunting, recreational shooting, archery, hiking, camping, 
     outdoor play in natural environments, and wildlife watching;
       (B) implementing programs that connect communities with 
     safe parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation areas 
     through affordable public transportation and trail systems 
     that encourage walking, biking, and increased physical 
     activity outdoors;
       (C) implementing school-based programs that use outdoor 
     learning environments,

[[Page S7133]]

     such as wildlife habitats or gardens, and programs that use 
     service learning to restore natural areas and maintain 
     recreational assets; and
       (D) implementing education programs for parents and 
     caregivers about the health benefits of active time outdoors 
     to fight obesity and increase the quality of life for 
     Americans, especially children, youth, and families.
       (e) Priority.--In making cooperative agreements under 
     subsection (a) and subgrants under subsection (d)(1), the 
     Secretary and the recipient under subsection (a), 
     respectively, shall give preference to entities that serve 
     individuals who have limited opportunities to experience 
     nature, including those who are socioeconomically 
     disadvantaged or have a disability or suffer 
     disproportionately from physical and mental health stressors.
       (f) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and after notice and opportunity 
     for public comment, the Secretary shall publish in the 
     Federal Register guidelines on the implementation of this 
     Act, including guidelines for--
       (1) developing and submitting strategies and evaluation 
     methods under subsection (b); and
       (2) technical assistance and dissemination of best 
     practices under section 7.
       (g) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary 
     approves the Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy of an 
     eligible entity receiving funds under this section, and every 
     year thereafter, the eligible entity shall submit to the 
     Secretary a report on the implementation of the strategy 
     based on the entity's evaluation and assessment of meeting 
     the goals specified in the strategy.
       (h) Allocation of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving 
     funding under subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
       (1) may use not more than 5 percent of the funding for 
     administrative expenses; and
       (2) shall use at least 95 percent of the funding for 
     subgrants to local partners under subsection (d).
       (i) Match.--An eligible entity receiving funding under 
     subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall provide a 25-percent 
     match through in-kind contributions or cash.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENCOURAGING AMERICANS TO BE 
                   ACTIVE OUTDOORS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2012, the 
     President, in cooperation with appropriate Federal 
     departments and agencies, shall develop and issue a national 
     strategy for encouraging Americans, especially children, 
     youth, and families, to be physically active outdoors. Such a 
     strategy shall include--
       (1) identification of barriers to Americans, especially 
     children, youth, and families, spending healthy time outdoors 
     and specific policy solutions to address those barriers;
       (2) identification of opportunities for partnerships with 
     Federal, State, tribal, and local partners;
       (3) coordination of efforts among Federal departments and 
     agencies to address the impacts of Americans, especially 
     children, youth, and families, spending less active time 
     outdoors on--
       (A) public health, including childhood obesity, attention 
     deficit disorders and stress;
       (B) the future of conservation in the United States; and
       (C) the economy;
       (4) identification of ongoing research needs to document 
     the health, conservation, economic, and other outcomes of 
     implementing the national strategy and State strategies;
       (5) coordination and alignment with Healthy Kids Outdoors 
     State Strategies; and
       (6) an action plan for implementing the strategy at the 
     Federal level.
       (b) Strategy Development.--
       (1) Public participation.--Throughout the process of 
     developing the national strategy under subsection (a), the 
     President may use, incorporate, or otherwise consider 
     existing Federal plans and strategies that, in whole or in 
     part, contribute to connecting Americans, especially 
     children, youth, and families, with the outdoors and shall 
     provide for public participation, including a national summit 
     of participants with demonstrated expertise in encouraging 
     individuals to be physically active outdoors in nature.
       (2) Updating the national strategy.--The President shall 
     update the national strategy not less than 5 years after the 
     date the first national strategy is issued under subsection 
     (a), and every 5 years thereafter. In updating the strategy, 
     the President shall incorporate results of the evaluation 
     under section 6.

     SEC. 6. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS.

       The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, shall--
       (1) develop recommendations for appropriate evaluation 
     measures and criteria for a study of national significance on 
     the health impacts of the strategies under this Act; and
       (2) carry out such a study.

     SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES.

       The Secretary shall--
       (1) provide technical assistance to grantees under section 
     4 through cooperative agreements with national organizations 
     with a proven track record of encouraging Americans, 
     especially children, youth, and families, to be physically 
     active outdoors; and
       (2) disseminate best practices that emerge from strategies 
     funded under this Act.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary to carry out this Act--
       (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2013;
       (2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
       (3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
       (4) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
       (5) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
       (b) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available to carry out 
     this Act for a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be 
     made available for carrying out section 7.
       (c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under 
     this Act shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any 
     other Federal, State, or local funds available for activities 
     that encourage Americans, especially children, youth, and 
     families to be physically active outdoors.
                                 ______