[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS WEEK

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further 
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 442) expressing the sense of 
the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should 
be established, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows

                              H. Res. 442

       Whereas about 42 million children participate in organized 
     sports each year;
       Whereas children participating in organized sports tend to 
     perform better in school, develop excellent interpersonal 
     skills, and lead healthier lives;
       Whereas organized youth sports help children increase their 
     self-esteem, develop an appreciation of health and fitness, 
     and become leaders within the community;
       Whereas organized youth sports provide for regular physical 
     activity and help combat increasing rates of childhood 
     obesity;
       Whereas the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports was 
     created, with great help and support from the Citizenship 
     Through Sports Alliance, Positive Coaching Alliance, and 
     National Recreation and Park Association, to restore the 
     focus in youth sports on the child's experience and character 
     development;
       Whereas far too many children quit participating in youth 
     sports at a young age, many telling coaches and parents, `It 
     just wasn't fun anymore';
       Whereas the National Recreation and Park Association has 
     designated July as Parks and Recreation Month;
       Whereas many youth sports organizations gather at local 
     parks and recreation facilities across the country; and
       Whereas designating the fourth week in July as National 
     Youth Sports Week would raise awareness of the important 
     physical and emotional benefits of participating in youth 
     sports and the need to promote sportsmanship among players, 
     parents, coaches, and officials: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be 
     established to promote awareness of the importance of youth 
     sports and the need to restore the focus in youth sports on 
     the child's experience and character development.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, over 42 million children 
participate in youth sports all across our country, and their 
activities contribute greatly to their positive development and enrich 
the quality of life for all. There are a number of benefits reaped by 
children's involvement in sports, such as better grades, excellent 
interpersonal skills and a healthier lifestyle. Also, given the 
increasing numbers of children battling obesity, this is an important 
time for youth to become active in sports.
  H. Res. 442 is a bill that designates the fourth week in July as 
``National Youth Sports Week.'' This legislation would raise awareness 
of the important physical and emotional benefits of participating in 
youth sports and the need to promote fun, sportsmanship, and character 
development.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Mike McIntyre for 
introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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