Tom Udall: “I rise to ask the U.S. Senate to resolve that April 5th-11th be known as National Public Health Week 2010. I submit this…”

“I rise to ask the U.S. Senate to resolve that April 5th-11th be known as National Public Health Week 2010. I submit this resolution along with my colleagues Senators Akaka, Begich, Sherrod Brown, Burris, Durbin, Menendez, Tester, Wyden, and Berkley. Since 1995, we have recognized the first week in April as National Public Health Week in order to help focus the efforts of hundreds of thousands of public health professionals and organizations to educate the public, policymakers, and practitioners about the importance of public health. This year's theme is 'A Healthier America: One Community at a Time.' This is especially timely since I hope that we sill soon pass comprehensive health care reform and because for the first time, the next generation is not expected to be healthier that the previous one. This is also consistent with the First Lady Michelle Obama's efforts to reduce child obesity. Our Nation's health is in poor shape. Despite spending more money on health care than any other country, more than 47 million Americans still do not have health insurance, nearly 900,000 people die from deaths that can be prevented each year, and we lag far behind the rest of the developed world in preventing obesity, HIV/AIDS infections, and many other diseases. During this week, public health workers across the country will be focusing on how to more fully and effectively achieve a healthier Nation.”