National Healthy Schools Day

Floor Speech

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1280, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for National Healthy Schools Day. Unhealthy school environments have a traumatic effect of our students' health, learning, and productivity, and increase health care costs down the road. Fifty-five million students spend the week in American schools, and it is critical to our Nation's future that they be provided a safe and healthy learning environment.

* While we take time to recognize this important issue, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Healthy Schools Campaign, a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and nurturing healthy school environments. Under the leadership of Founding Executive Director Rochelle Davis, the Healthy Schools Campaign has been a champion and model in the push to develop healthy school meals, which studies show have a significant impact on the cognitive and behavioral well-being of students.

* We must work to ensure that every child born in this country has the opportunity to take advantage of its great resources. Guaranteeing a healthy school environment for all children will play a critical role in this effort, and I will continue to strongly support legislation and initiatives targeting that goal.

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