Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, January 12, I requested and received a leave of absence until January 27, 2010.

For the information of our colleagues and my constituents, below is how I would have voted on the following votes I missed during this time period.

On rollcall 1, Establishing a quorum in the House of Representatives for the Second Session of the 111th Congress, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 2, Disposing of the President's Veto of H.J. Res. 64 (H.J. Res. 64), I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 3, Honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (H. Res. 1002) I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 4, Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (H. Res. 860), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 5, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office (H.R. 3892), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 6, Congratulating the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for its 150 years of commitment to advancing science and improving health (H. Res. 1004), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 7, Congratulating the Penn State women's volleyball team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I national championship (H. Res. 1015), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 8, Commending the University of Virginia men's soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA National Championship (H. Res. 991), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 9, Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3254-Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act--H.R. 3342 Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act--and H.R. 1065-White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009 (H. Res. 1017), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 10, Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2009 (H.R. 3726), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 11, Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act (H.R. 3254), I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 12, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (H.R. 3254), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 13, Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act (H.R. 3342), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 14, White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009 (H.R. 1065), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 15, Expressing Condolences to and Solidarity with the People of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake of January 12th, 2010 (H.R. 1021), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 16, Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (H.R. 730), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 17, Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ``National Mentoring Month'' (H. Res. 990), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 18, Recognizing the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month (H. Res. 1011), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 19, Expressing support for the designation of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week (H. Res. 1003), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 20, Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4474--Idaho Wilderness Water Facilities Act--and H.R. 3726-Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010 (H. Res. 1038), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 21, Expressing support for designation of January as Poverty in America Awareness Month (H. Res. 1024), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 22, Idaho Wilderness Water Facilities Act (H.R. 4474), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 23, Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010 (H.R. 3726), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 24, To provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (H.R. 4508), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 25, Honoring the 95th anniversary of the signing of the Rocky Mountain National Park Act (H.R. 1020), I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 860) supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H. Res. 860 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 860, supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

With more and more children growing up in a world where the Internet, cell phones and video games are at their fingertips, the need for children to play and to explore outside has become even more important. Research has shown that unstructured outdoor play is a key element in the wholesome, balanced development of the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical skills of children.

The Chicago Wilderness, a coalition of over 240 organizations, is committed to adding biodiversity to the Chicago metropolitan area and to creating a better quality of life in the community. Based on the idea that people's lives are improved by a strong connection with nature, the coalition sets out to increase and to diversify public participation in environmental stewardship.

The Chicago Wilderness especially recognizes the value of connecting children to nature. In fact, in 2007, they launched the Leave No Child Inside initiative and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights with the goal of increasing awareness and of encouraging more children to explore their outdoor environments.

Getting more children outside enjoying nature, encouraging their curiosity and developing their creativity is essential. Playing outdoors not only helps children learn in new ways to improve academically; it also helps them thrive both socially and emotionally. Studies have shown that outdoor play helps children manage obstacles such as stress, as well as helping them become more inventive and better problem-solvers. Many health risks are also lowered when outdoor activities become a part of a child's daily life, and children who connect with nature have even shown to improve their inner-personal relationships and behavior. In some cases, outdoor activity, something as simple as fishing, has been correlated with reducing the symptoms of attention deficit disorder.

This resolution encourages us all to recognize and to support the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights--a commitment to fight obesity, physical disorders--and an awareness of natural amenities by promoting quality outdoor activities for both children and adults. This

is a truly worthy commitment. Simple and fun outdoor activities can have a great impact on our Nation's children and families.

Madam Speaker, once again, I express my support of H. Res. 860. I thank Representative Quigley for bringing this bill forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley).

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

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 860, supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

I want to commend the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Chicago (Mr. Quigley), for his leadership on this issue.

Most of us here today can remember ample time during our childhoods which was spent outdoors. In fact, to this very day, the child in me still enjoys hikes in the woods and tent-camping. In fact, for my wife, Leslie, and our two boys, T.J. and Tom, some of our most wonderful vacations have been tent-camping in our national parks throughout our great Nation.

Unfortunately, however, many children today do not have these same opportunities. Due to a lack of safe outdoor play areas, an abundance of video games and television time and, unfortunately, little encouragement to play outdoors, many children today do not experience the benefits of outdoor activities.

Research indicates that being active outdoors benefits children in countless ways. Active outdoor play has been shown to help children manage stress, to lower their blood pressure, and to help children develop cognitive skills.

The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights encourages children to participate in outdoor activities and to explore opportunities--to discover the wilderness, to learn to swim, to follow a trail, and to explore other outdoor resources. The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights highlights the importance of outdoor activities to the development and nourishment of children.

Our Nation boasts some of the world's most beautiful parks and natural monuments, an array of wildlife not found elsewhere, and abundant natural resources. Certainly, children should be encouraged to take advantage of these unique opportunities and resources.

For most of us, outdoor play was a regular part of growing up. Unfortunately, again, this is not true today. By supporting the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights, we highlight the importance of children participating in outdoor activities. In doing so, we will bless not just our Nation's children but our Nation as a whole. Again, I am honored to support this resolution, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, before I conclude, I would just reference that on a family visit to Chicago this past summer, we think of Chicago as an urban center and city, and what a wonderful city it is, but my boys also had the chance to fish in the Chicago River as part of a City of Chicago fishing program, encouraging just what we're talking about in this resolution, getting kids outdoors and enjoying the activities of the outdoors. The fish they caught in the Chicago River may not have been big, but they still caught some; and they remember that visit very well.

Again, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for sponsoring this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to voice my strong support for a bill offered by the gentleman from Illinois and my delegation colleague, Mr. Quigley. H. Res. 860, supports two key environmental initiatives within Illinois: the Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

Chicago Wilderness is alliance of public and private organizations dedicated to promoting conservation and strengthening the natural ecosystems of the Chicago region. With over 240 members, the alliance includes government agencies, conservation organizations, scientific organizations, cultural institutions, schools, universities, and business partners. A few such members with whom I have worked closely over the years include: Blacks in Chicago; the Chicago Park District; the Chicago Botanic Gardens; the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency; the Chicago Zoological Society; the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; and the Village of Oak Park.

Chicago Wilderness has four long-term efforts: The Green Infrastructure Vision initiative promotes the creation and maintenance of green, open spaces; the Leave No Child Inside initiative promotes environmental education and experiences for children and youth; the Restoring the Health of Local Nature initiative engages in active restoration and land management to improve the health of natural areas as well as their plants and animals; and the Climate Change initiative involves examining, making recommendations, and taking action to limit the Chicago area's impact on global climate change.

The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights is a joint resolution passed by the Illinois General Assembly to establish goals for children to experience nature. The Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights states that every child should have opportunities to ``. . . discover wilderness-- prairies, dunes, forests, savannas, and wetlands; camp under the stars; follow a trail; catch and release fish, frogs, and insects; climb a tree; explore nature in neighborhoods and cities; celebrate heritage; plant a flower; play in the mud or a stream; and learn to swim.''

Understanding and interacting with nature are positive ways for children and youth to develop their minds and bodies. Outdoor play encourages independent learning and creativity and develops public awareness about the critical, interdependent relationship humans have with nature. As a child, I remember fondly the time I spent outside with my siblings, exploring my rural community, studying animals, and learning about nature. These experiences contributed to my appreciation of and commitment to improving the environment.

I join Mr. Quigley in recognizing the importance of and supporting these two Illinois environmental initiatives--the Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.

I appreciate the remarks from the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and it bears truth that Philly fans and Cub fans can unite on common goals.

Madam Speaker, earlier this year, the House passed the No Child Left Inside Act, a bill and an initiative I support wholeheartedly. This past summer, following our congressional footsteps, the Illinois General Assembly proclaimed June ``No Child Left Inside Month.''

The Chicago Wilderness, a network of over 240 organizations statewide, makes giant strides to promote this initiative. The organization works to get more children outside, and it increases the amount and quality of the time they spend there. Children who grow up with an understanding of the land, air and water surrounding them grow into environmentally conscious adults, and it makes them more physically fit.

These individuals are people who are actively involved in efforts to clean, restore, and preserve our precious resources. The Chicago Wilderness knows this, and it works hard to better the lives and communities of everyone in the Chicago-land area. The Chicago Wilderness should be commended and recognized for their efforts to promote environmental literacy and healthy living.

I urge you to join me in support of this resolution on the House floor today. As it is my first resolution, I wish to thank my staff for their efforts.