[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2886-S2888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 441, S. Res. 442, S. Res. 443, 
S. Res 444, and S. Res. 445, which were submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions 
be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider 
laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and 
that any statements related to the resolutions be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions (S. Res. 441, S. Res. 442, S. Res. 443, S. Res. 444, 
and S. Res. 445) were agreed to en bloc.

[[Page S2887]]

  The preambles were agreed to en bloc.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 441

 (Expressing support for the designation of May 2012 as National Youth 
                         Traffic Safety Month)

       Whereas motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of 
     death for youth in the United States;
       Whereas thousands of youth are injured or die each year in 
     motor vehicle crashes;
       Whereas on average, 11 youths die each day in motor vehicle 
     crashes;
       Whereas on average, May through August is the deadliest 
     period for youths on our nation's highways;
       Whereas on average, 8 of the top 10 deadliest days for 
     youths on our nation's highways were between May and August;
       Whereas events such as prom and graduation, and the summer 
     driving season, contribute to the risk of a motor vehicle 
     crash due to an increase in the amount of time youth spend on 
     the road and in celebratory activities;
       Whereas it is essential to teach our youths that driving is 
     a privilege and with that privilege comes risks and 
     responsibilities;
       Whereas this education is essential to preventing risky 
     behaviors that can result in tragic crashes;
       Whereas the National Organizations For Youth Safety (NOYS) 
     established a national youth campaign and National Youth 
     Traffic Safety Month to draw attention to the increased rate 
     of motor vehicle crashes involving youth between May and 
     August, to help enforce youth safe driving laws, and to 
     support youth and community education on youth traffic 
     safety; and
       Whereas NOYS invites all youths, families, and communities 
     to participate in National Youth Traffic Safety Month:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses support for the designation of May 2012 as 
     ``National Youth Traffic Safety Month'';
       (2) supports youth traffic safety awareness; and
       (3) encourages people across the United States to observe 
     National Youth Traffic Safety Month with appropriate 
     programs, activities, and ceremonies.

                              S. Res. 442

            (Celebrating the 140th anniversary of Arbor Day)

       Whereas Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska City, Nebraska on 
     April 10, 1872, to recognize the importance of planting 
     trees;
       Whereas it is estimated that on the first Arbor Day, more 
     than 1,000,000 trees were planted in the State of Nebraska 
     alone;
       Whereas Arbor Day is observed in all 50 States and across 
     the world;
       Whereas participating in Arbor Day activities promotes 
     civic participation and highlights the importance of planting 
     and caring for trees and vegetation;
       Whereas those activities provide an opportunity to convey 
     to future generations the value of land and stewardship;
       Whereas National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday 
     of April each year; and
       Whereas April 27, 2012, marks the 140th anniversary of 
     Arbor Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes April 27, 2012, as National Arbor Day;
       (2) celebrates the 140th anniversary of Arbor Day;
       (3) supports the goals and ideals of Arbor Day; and
       (4) encourages the people of United States to participate 
     in Arbor Day activities.

                              S. Res. 443

    (Honoring the life and legacy of Auxiliary Bishop Agustin Roman)

       Whereas Agustin Roman was appointed auxiliary bishop of the 
     Archdiocese of Miami, Florida in 1979, becoming the first 
     Cuban to be appointed bishop in the United States;
       Whereas Agustin Roman was expelled from Cuba in 1961 by the 
     regime of Fidel Castro, along with many other Roman Catholic 
     priests;
       Whereas Agustin Roman ministered in Chile for 4 years 
     before coming to Miami, Florida in 1966, where he quickly 
     became a spiritual leader and advocate for the Cuban 
     community in Miami, as well as for many other immigrant 
     communities, including Haitian refugees;
       Whereas Agustin Roman was fluent in Latin, English, French, 
     and Spanish, and served on the Bishops' Committee for 
     Hispanic Affairs, worked as a hospital chaplain, and became 
     episcopal vicar for the Spanish-speaking people of the 
     Archdiocese of Miami;
       Whereas Agustin Roman was the son of humble Cuban peasants, 
     which influenced his commitment to humility, tenacity, and 
     unceasing devotion to his ministry in southern Florida;
       Whereas Agustin Roman was instrumental in the construction 
     of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity on Biscayne Bay, which 
     serves as a monument to the patron saint of Cuba, the Virgin 
     of Charity of Cobre, and attracts hundreds of thousands of 
     visitors each year;
       Whereas in 1980 Agustin Roman served as a mediator during 
     the Mariel boatlift incident, helping more than 100,000 
     Cubans flee the island and safely resettle in the United 
     States;
       Whereas Agustin Roman helped negotiate a peaceful 
     resolution to the 1987 riots of Mariel prisoner uprisings in 
     Federal prisons, earning him national recognition for his 
     compassion, gentility, and humble spirit;
       Whereas after his retirement at the age of 75, Agustin 
     Roman remained active at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, 
     greeting visitors and responding to letters from fellow Cuban 
     exiles; and
       Whereas Agustin Roman passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 
     2012: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and honors the life of Agustin Roman;
       (2) recognizes and honors the spiritual leadership of 
     Agustin Roman and his dedication to freedom and faith;
       (3) offers heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, 
     and loved ones of Agustin Roman; and
       (4) in memory of Agustin Roman, calls on the United States 
     to continue policies that promote respect for the fundamental 
     principles of religious freedom, democracy, and human rights 
     in Cuba, in a manner consistent with the aspirations of the 
     people of Cuba.

                              S. Res. 444

   (Designating the week of May 1 through May 7, 2012, as ``National 
                  Physical Education and Sport Week'')

       Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to 
     the unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity, which has 
     more than tripled in the United States since 1980;
       Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support 
     normal and healthy growth in children and is essential to the 
     continued health and well-being of children;
       Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control, 
     overweight adolescents have a 70- to 80-percent chance of 
     becoming overweight adults, increasing their risk for chronic 
     disease, disability, and death;
       Whereas physical activity reduces the risk of heart 
     disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of 
     cancers;
       Whereas type 2 diabetes can no longer be referred to as 
     ``late in life'' or ``adult onset'' diabetes because type 2 
     diabetes presently occurs in children as young as 10 years 
     old;
       Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 
     issued by the Department of Health and Human Services 
     recommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes of 
     physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the 
     week;
       Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control, only 
     19 percent of high school students are meeting the goal of 60 
     minutes of physical activity each day;
       Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at school 
     and, as a result, need to be active during the school day to 
     meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines 
     for Americans;
       Whereas nationally, according to the Centers for Disease 
     Control, 1 out of 4 children does not attend any school 
     physical education classes, and fewer than 1 in 4 children 
     get 20 minutes of vigorous activity every day;
       Whereas teaching children about physical education and 
     sports not only ensures that the children are physically 
     active during the school day, but also educates the children 
     on how to be physically active and the importance of physical 
     activity;
       Whereas according to a 2006 survey by the Department of 
     Health and Human Services, 3.8 percent of elementary schools, 
     7.9 percent of middle schools, and 2.1 percent of high 
     schools provide daily physical education (or an equivalent) 
     for the entire school year, and 22 percent of schools do not 
     require students to take any physical education courses at 
     all;
       Whereas according to that 2006 survey, 13.7 percent of 
     elementary schools, 15.2 percent of middle schools, and 3.0 
     percent of high schools provide physical education (or an 
     equivalent) at least 3 days per week for the entire school 
     year for students in all grades in the school;
       Whereas research shows that fit and active children are 
     more likely to thrive academically;
       Whereas increased time in physical education classes can 
     help the attention, concentration, and achievement test 
     scores of children;
       Whereas participation in sports teams and physical activity 
     clubs, often organized by the school and run outside of the 
     regular school day, can improve grade point average, school 
     attachment, educational aspirations, and the likelihood of 
     graduation;
       Whereas participation in sports and physical activity 
     improves self-esteem and body image in children and adults;
       Whereas children and youths who partake in physical 
     activity and sports programs have increased motor skills, 
     healthy lifestyles, social skills, a sense of fair play, 
     strong teamwork skills, self-discipline, and avoidance of 
     risky behaviors;
       Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting 
     children are in the control of the adults and the communities 
     in which the children live, and therefore, the people of the 
     United States share a collective responsibility in reversing 
     the childhood obesity epidemic;
       Whereas if efforts are made to intervene with unfit 
     children to bring those children to physically fit levels, 
     then there may also be a concomitant rise in the academic 
     performance of those children; and

[[Page S2888]]

       Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase 
     physical activity and participation of children and youth in 
     sports: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of May 1 through May 7, 2012, 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) supports the implementation of local school wellness 
     policies (as that term is described in section 9A of the 
     Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1758b)) that include ambitious goals for physical education, 
     physical activity, and other activities that address the 
     childhood obesity epidemic and promote 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 before 
     and after school and during the summer months for all 
     children and youth.

                              S. Res. 445

  (Expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2012, as ``Silver 
                       Star Service Banner Day'')

       Whereas the Senate has always honored the sacrifices made 
     by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the Silver Star Service Banner has come to 
     represent the members of the Armed Forces and veterans who 
     were wounded or became ill in combat in the wars fought by 
     the United States;
       Whereas the Silver Star Families of America was formed to 
     help the American people remember the sacrifices made by the 
     wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces by designing and 
     manufacturing Silver Star Service Banners and Silver Star 
     Flags for that purpose;
       Whereas the sole mission of the Silver Star Families of 
     America is to evoke memories of the sacrifices of members and 
     veterans of the Armed Forces on behalf of the United States 
     through the presence of a Silver Star Service Banner in a 
     window or a Silver Star Flag flying;
       Whereas the sacrifices of members and veterans of the Armed 
     Forces on behalf of the United States should never be 
     forgotten; and
       Whereas May 1, 2012, is an appropriate date to designate as 
     ``Silver Star Service Banner Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the designation of May 
     1, 2012, as ``Silver Star Service Banner Day'' and calls upon 
     the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

                          ____________________