Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 996, to support the designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. A third of the people ages 2 to 19 are obese now, and experience tells us that they probably will grow both literally and figuratively into obese adults. It means that in just a few years, a disproportionately high number of them will hear a doctor explain that they have heart disease or diabetes or cancer or arthritis or an increased chance of having a stroke. But childhood obesity is preventable, and so it doesn't have to lead to bad news in a doctor's office later in life. Exercise and good nutrition that start early not only fight childhood obesity but also instill the habits that promote lifelong health. Let me say a word about personal responsibility here. No congressional resolution can replace the good sense of concerned parents. I think most parents know instinctively that healthy families produce healthy adults, and I commend them. I also think they deserve our recognition and appreciation and encouragement. In the final analysis, any attempt to raise awareness of a problem like childhood obesity must involve individuals making good choices for the sake of their own health. Raising our voices to help advance public awareness of that crucial, beneficial truth is worthwhile business for the people's House to undertake.…”