[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7482]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN SUPPORT OF GO SKATE-
                      BOARDING DAY, JUNE 21, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
International Association of Skateboarding Companies for their work 
promoting increased participation and safety in skateboarding among 
children and adults alike. The association, and skaters across the 
country, will recognize and celebrate National Go Skateboarding Day on 
June 21, 2008.
  Skateboarding, a native sport of my home State of California, 
continues to attract new riders every day and has grown into a major 
domestic industry and employer. Today, we see the sport throughout our 
country. From major metropolitan cities to small heartland towns, we 
see skateboard shops and skateboard parks creating opportunities for 
outdoor recreation, at a time when the health and physical activity of 
our citizens is in crisis.
  This truly unique sport has grown up with our younger Americans, and 
has influenced untold aspects of our culture and society. While once 
thought of as a sport for the young, many of the top tier skateboarders 
are now older than many top tier athletes in more traditional sports, 
proving it is simply a sport for the young at heart.
  Anyone who has seen skateboarding in the media or watched a 
skateboarder perfect their trade knows that it is a sport of intense 
discipline. As is true with traditional sports, many skateboarders 
learn larger life lessons from the activity. Persistence, discipline, 
creativity, individuality, community, risk-taking skills, and 
accomplishing one's goals are all important character traits that can 
carry over into real world success.
  Go Skateboarding Day will further promote this worthwhile sport. 
According to the association, ``Go Skateboarding Day, an international 
event, began in 2004. Each year the holiday grows bigger and better 
than last. Skateboard parks, skateboard shops, cities and skateboarders 
plan events such as barbeques, fundraisers, contests, or simply took to 
the streets.''
  The work of the International Association of Skateboarding Companies 
has promoted skateboarding and encouraged young people to enjoy the 
outdoors and exercise while strengthening their coordination, focus, 
and cardiovascular health. Skateboarding builds confidence and self-
esteem while promoting teamwork and group participation. As a 
representative in Congress, one of my most important priorities is 
promoting and maintaining healthy living opportunities, and I thank the 
International Association of Skateboarding Companies for their efforts 
toward this important goal.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledgement and support of Go 
Skateboarding Day, this June 21st.

                          ____________________