Political Quotes

“Today I rise in support of H.R. 1585, the ``Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act.'' This legislation will help combat the obesity epidemic facing our youth by promoting physical education for students by providing grants to schools, requiring State and local officials to report the progress on these initiatives, and improving teacher training. Let me be frank, we are facing a childhood obesity epidemic in our country. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control found that obesity rate for children ages 12 to 19 is 17.6 percent and we can not allow this to continue. Today's legislation is a first step in correcting this disturbing trend by acknowledging that the whole community must actively participate in promoting healthy lifestyles for children. First, it requires all schools, districts and States to report on quantity and quality of physical education. In addition, grants are provided to support school counseling and community learning centers in order to boost children's nutritional and physical education. It also revises the professional development program for teachers and principals to include training for physical and health education.”