HR0024ham001 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0024HAM001 LRB098 07435 GRL 40945 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 24

AMENDMENT NO. ___. Amend House Resolution 24 by replacing everything after the heading with the following:

"WHEREAS, Miss Illinois and Miss Quincy 2011, Megan Ervin, and Miss Quincy Outstanding Teen 2012, Mackenzie Mahsman, have sought to make the public and, in particular, Illinois school children and their parents more aware of the urgent need to choose and embrace daily physical activity and choose healthy food choices; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that childhood obesity has practically become an epidemic in developed nations, with rates tripling over the last 30 years; and

WHEREAS, In the United States of America, approximately 20% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are considered obese; and

WHEREAS, Poor diet and little exercise are the two main causes of childhood obesity, as children who eat too many calories and get very little exercise are much more likely to become obese than those who eat a healthy diet and remain active; and

WHEREAS, Poor diet and little exercise can lead to heart problems, emotional distress, diabetes, and sleep disturbances, which all have terrible consequences for everyday life during childhood and into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Limiting junk food, increasing activity levels to around 60 minutes a day, and teaching children about the benefits of healthy habits can all lay the foundation for a healthier lifestyle for each child; and

WHEREAS, The economic costs of childhood obesity can become drastic; the direct costs of medical visits, diagnostic studies, and therapeutic services can be very expensive, while indirect costs can include a decrease in productivity, absenteeism, and premature death; in 2008, estimates for direct and indirect costs related to childhood obesity reached up to $147 billion; and

WHEREAS, Miss Illinois and Miss Quincy 2011, Megan Ervin, and Miss Quincy Outstanding Teen 2012, Mackenzie Mahsman, have visited some of Illinois' schools to promote physical fitness in school as a way to enhance overall physical fitness, curb childhood obesity, and develop healthier, active, more confident children; and

WHEREAS, Illinois schools are mandated to provide Illinois school children with a physical education curriculum; this resolution is not intended to impact the public school curriculum in this regard or increase any requirements on Illinois schools, but merely to encourage other school children to consider voluntarily incorporating more physical activity and healthier food choices in their daily routines as a proactive measure to address the childhood obesity issues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Illinois schoolchildren and their parents throughout the State of Illinois and Illinois teachers and school officials to promote daily physical activity for Illinois' schoolchildren so they will enjoy healthier, active lifestyles and urge parents and their children to embrace better nutritional choices to further build healthier lifestyles; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Megan Ervin and Mackenzie Mahsman as an expression of our gratitude and respect.".