HLS 10RS-2099 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 16
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARTER
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes April 7, 2010, as National Start! Walking
Day and Legislative Wellness Day
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize Wednesday, April 7, 2010, as National Start! Walking Day and Legislative2
Wellness Day at the Louisiana House of Representatives; to commend the efforts of3
the American Heart Association, the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical4
Education, Recreation and Dance, the Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and5
Management, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; to express6
support for initiatives to help Louisiana citizens attain wellness; and to urge citizens7
to commemorate this day.8
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize Wednesday, April 7, 2010, as National9
Start! Walking Day and Legislative Wellness Day at the Louisiana House of10
Representatives; and11
WHEREAS, obesity rates are continuing to climb, and the resulting medical12
complications are having a significant impact on both the state budget and the quality of life13
of Louisiana citizens; and14
WHEREAS, according to the 2009 Trust for America's Health report, Louisiana has15
the eighth highest rate of adult obesity and the seventh highest rate of overweight youths16
ages ten to seventeen; and17
WHEREAS, Louisiana spends nearly $1.4 billion annually on obesity-attributed18
health care costs; and19 HLS 10RS-2099 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 16
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WHEREAS, obesity and being overweight are associated with increased risks for1
costly chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and some2
cancers; and3
WHEREAS, obesity due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for more4
than three hundred thousand deaths per year; and5
WHEREAS, Louisiana's leaders must fight the obesity epidemic by promoting6
education, increasing awareness, and setting a positive example through eating healthfully7
and exercising regularly; and8
WHEREAS, regular walking has many proven benefits for an individual's overall9
health, and brisk walking for at least thirty minutes per day can lower bad cholesterol levels10
and high blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke; and11
WHEREAS, if ten percent of Americans began a regular walking program, $5.612
billion in heart disease costs could be saved; and13
WHEREAS, the purpose behind National Start! Walking Day is to encourage14
Americans to become more physically active by walking.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the16
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize Wednesday, April 7, 2010, as National Start!17
Walking Day and Legislative Wellness Day at the Louisiana House of Representatives and18
does hereby commend the efforts of the American Heart Association, the Louisiana19
Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the Louisiana Council20
on Obesity Prevention and Management, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and21
Sports.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby23
express support for public and private initiatives to help Louisiana citizens attain wellness24
through healthful eating and physical activity.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby urge26
all citizens to show their support for the fight against heart disease and obesity and to27
commemorate this day by taking the time to walk because by increasing the awareness of28
the importance of physical activity, thousands of lives can be saved each year.29 HLS 10RS-2099 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 16
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the1
American Heart Association, the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education,2
Recreation and Dance, the Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Management, and3
the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.4
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carter HR No. 16
Recognizes April 7, 2010, as National Start! Walking Day and Legislative Wellness Day at
the La. House of Representatives and commends the American Heart Assoc., the La. Assoc.
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the La. Council on Obesity
Prevention and Management, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.