Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join Representatives McGovern and Emerson as an original cosponsor of this bipartisan amendment, which affirms the intention of Congress to combat domestic childhood obesity and hunger in the interest of our national security. According to the July 2009 Trust for America's Health Report, the percentage of obese and overweight children ages 10 to 17 is at or above 30 percent in 30 States. Seven of the top 10 States are in the South, with my State of Georgia ranked third, with 37.3 percent of obese and overweight youngsters. Obesity is especially prevalent in the African American and Latino communities. Overweight and obese teens are at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, arthritis and breathing problems and American children are disproportionately impacted. In a recent report, Too Fat to Fight, over 100 retired generals and admirals wrote that obesity among children and young adults has increased so dramatically that it threatens not only our Nation's health but the future of our military. Between 1995 and 2008, the military had 140,000 individuals, a 70 percent increase, who showed up at the centers for processing but failed their entrance physicals because they were too heavy, and 1,200 enlistees were discharged before their contracts were up. And now being overweight is the leading medical cause for rejection from military service. Mr.…”