[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 104 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5366-H5367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PARK AND RECREATION MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, recently, I introduced

[[Page H5367]]

a resolution with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to designate July as Park 
and Recreation Month. It is a fitting time to celebrate our Federal, 
State, and local public parks and recreation systems because so many 
Americans will visit them this summer.
  H. Res. 941 recognizes the important role that public parks, 
recreation facilities, and activities play in the lives of Americans, 
and the contributions of employees and volunteers who work daily to 
maintain our public parks and recreation facilities across the Nation.
  As a lifelong resident of rural Pennsylvania and an avid outdoorsman, 
I strongly support our Nation's park and recreation facilities. Our 
parks provide countless recreational and educational opportunities for 
individuals and families to engage in the outdoors.
  This resolution simply recognizes and supports Park and Recreation 
Month and the many benefits that our parks provide to all Americans. 
Our parks generate opportunities for people to come together and 
experience a sense of community. They pay dividends to communities by 
attracting businesses and jobs, and increasing housing values. In the 
United States, public park operations and capital spending generate 
nearly $140 million in economic activity annually.
  Ninety percent of people in the United States agree that public park 
recreation facilities and activities are important government services, 
a figure that displays a base of support that spans across all people 
in the country regardless of race, income, gender, or political party 
affiliation. Nearly 75 percent of Americans agree that it is important 
to ensure that all members of their community have equitable access to 
public parks and recreation facilities.
  The most economically sound communities are those with ample and 
healthy public park and recreation facilities and activities. In fact, 
a key factor in business expansion and location decisions is the 
quality of life for employees, with a premium placed on adequate and 
accessible public parks and open space.
  Madam Speaker, public parks and recreation facilities foster a 
variety of activities that contribute to a healthier society. People 
who use public parks and open space are three times more likely to 
achieve recommended levels of physical activity than nonusers.
  Americans living within a 10-minute walk of a park have a higher 
level of physical activity and lower rates of obesity. Recreation 
programs in public parks provide children with a safe place to play, 
access to healthy foods, opportunities to be physically active, and 
enrichment facilities that help prevent at-risk behavior, such as drug 
use and gang involvement.
  As schools recess for summer break, scores of Americans will visit 
public parks and recreation facilities to spend time outdoors with 
family, friends, and neighbors. We are blessed with beautiful outdoor 
facilities.
  It is my hope that all Americans get out and enjoy the parks in their 
areas. They are tremendous community treasures.

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