In observance of National Physical Education and Sports Week.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 371 to recognize National Physical Education and Sports Week, which took place this year from May 1 to May 7, 2007.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: ``The first wealth is health.'' Today, these words could not hold more significance. In an increasingly technologically advanced society dominated by the Internet, cell phones, BlackBerrys, and, yes, electronic video game controls, the evidence is growing and is more convincing than ever. People of all ages who are generally inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming active at a moderate intensity on a regular basis.

Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of a number of preventable diseases such as coronary heart disease, the Nation's leading cause of death; and decreases the risk of stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight, contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints, reduces falls among elderly adults and is associated with fewer hospitalizations. Moreover, physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. People of all ages benefit from participating in regular moderate- intensity physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week.

These are facts we should impress upon our children to ensure they lead health-conscious lives. Yet according to the Surgeon General's ``Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity,'' only half of adolescents participate in regular physical activity, and one- fourth report no physical activity at all.

In addition, we find that more than a third of young people in grades 9-12 do not regularly engage in physical activity. Additionally, daily participation in high school physical education classes dropped from 42 percent in 1991 to only 33 percent in 2005. Physical activity offers a broad range of benefits, including the prevention of obesity, improves self-confidence and the overall sense of well-being.

Physical education programs within school settings can set the stage for how children view physical fitness, activity levels, and future health. Physical education programs also include general health and safety information, as well as providing opportunities for students to learn how to cooperate with one another in a team setting. Equally important is the fact that physical education programs can teach students that physical activity can be fun.

With a broad range of games and activities, children are exposed to forms of exercise that incorporate teamwork, strategy, skill-building exercises, and other curricula such as math. Indeed, physical education plays an important role in the development of an individual, just as a classroom education does.

I join my colleague, Mr. Altmire, in calling for the communities to work with schools, along with key community stakeholders to craft and implement a local wellness plan as required in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on May 3, 2007, I requested and received a leave of absence from May 3 to May 9, 2007, due to my presence at previous commitments in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Improving Head Start Act of 2007 (H.R. 1429): Rollcall No. 277, the Price of Georgia Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 278, the Sestak of Pennsylvania Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 279, the Hirono of Hawaii Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 280, the Mica of Florida Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 281, the Putnam of Florida Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 282, the Carnahan of Missouri Amendment, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 283, the Shuler of North Carolina Amendment, ``aye''.

Rollcall No. 284, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``no''; rollcall No. 285, on Passage, Improving Head Start Act, H.R. 1429, ``aye''; rollcall No. 286, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, H. Res. 243, ``aye''; rollcall No. 287, the Sullivan (OK) Amendment to Honda (CA) Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 288, the Honda of California Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 289, the Campbell of California Amendment No. 5, ``no''; rollcall No. 290, the Campbell of California Amendment No. 4, ``no''; and rollcall No. 291, the Garrett of New Jersey Amendment No. 11, ``no.''

Rollcall No. 292, the Flake of Arizona Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 293, the Matsui of California Amendment, ``aye''; rollcall No. 294, the Price of Georgia Amendment, ``no''; rollcall No. 295, on Passage, National Science Foundation Authorization Act, H.R. 1867, ``aye''; rollcall No. 296, on Ordering the Previous Question, H. Res. 364, ``aye''; rollcall No. 297, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 364, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 298, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``no.''

Rollcall No. 299, on Passage, To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, H.R. 1592, ``aye''; rollcall No. 300, on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, H.R. 1868, ``no''; rollcall No. 301, on Passage, Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act, H.R. 1868, ``aye''; rollcall No. 302, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 407, ``aye''; rollcall No. 303, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, H.R. 1025, ``aye''; rollcall No. 304, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, H. Res. 371, ``aye''; rollcall No. 305, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H.R. 1294, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 306, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 370, ``aye''.

Rollcall No. 307, on Agreeing to the Resolution, S. Con. Res. 1, ``aye''; rollcall No. 308, on Motion to Instruct Conferees, S. Con. Res. 1, ``no''; rollcall No. 309, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 1595, ``aye''; rollcall No. 310, on Ordering the Previous Question, H. Res. 382, ``aye''; rollcall No. 311, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 382, ``aye''; rollcall No. 312, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 383, ``aye''; rollcall No. 313, on Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 383, ``aye''; and rollcall No. 314, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, Student Loan, H.R. 890, ``aye''.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 371) in observance of National Physical Education and Sports Week.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 371 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution designates May 1-7 as National Physical Education and Sports Week. This is the second year in which Congress has officially observed the first week of May for this purpose.

The benefits of physical activity are well documented. It reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, back pain, and even certain types of cancer. It can increase one's self- esteem and body image and reduce anxiety. In youth, it develops motor skills, leads to healthier lifestyles, improves social awareness, and averts risky behaviors.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children and teenagers, and 30 minutes of daily physical activity for adults. Moderate exercise, such as a brisk walk, when done regularly, has a significant health benefit.

As a Nation, we should be more active. One out of four children do not attend any physical education classes in school; 61 percent of children, ages 9 through 13, do not participate in any physical activity outside of school. Only 25 percent of children get a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity per day.

Mr. Speaker, in comparison, 60 percent of adults are not regularly active, and 25 percent are not physically active at all. The lack of physical activity has many negative results. The percentage of overweight young people has more than tripled since 1980. It is 18 percent of that population today.

Children are now being diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, all once thought to be age related. Two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. Obesity-related diseases cost the economy more than $100 billion annually.

I want to recognize some exemplary programs that are currently promoting and encouraging physical activity. Four thousand Boys and Girls Clubs across this country provide more than 4.6 million kids with the opportunity to be physically active. YMCA provides services to over 20 million people, including the Silver Sneakers programs for seniors.

This resolution acknowledges that physical activity and sports play a central role in creating a healthy lifestyle for children and adults. Schools should include physical education classes and other opportunities for physical opportunities as part of the school day, and this resolution says communities should be involved and support schools in the promotion of physical activities, nutrition education and healthy lifestyles.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his leadership on this issue and the other legislation that we talked about today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, May 7, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 407, H.R. 1025, and H. Res. 371.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 302 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 407, the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 303 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1025, the Lower Republican River Basin Study Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 304 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 371, In observance of National Physical Education and Sports Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on May 7, 2007, due to a family illness, I missed the following recorded votes: rollcall vote No. 302, on H.R. 407--The Columbia Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 303, on H.R. 1025--The Lower Republican River Basin Study Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye''; and rollcall vote No. 304, on H. Res. 371--In Observance of National Physical Education and Sports Week. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''