Wasserman Schultz Praises Miami-Dade Public Schools For Offering Swim Lessons

Statement

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement:

"I commend the Miami-Dade Public Schools and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on their innovative work to prevent childhood drownings.

"In Florida, pools are as common as palm trees, and drownings hold the unfortunate distinction as the leading cause of accidental deaths among young children ages one to four.

"Smartly, Miami-Dade Public Schools are meeting the most vulnerable children where they are, giving swim lessons by setting up portable pools at schools in zip codes which have the highest number of accidental drownings or near drownings.

"When I was in the state legislature, we worked to bring swim lessons into the school day in Broward through a program that now reaches children in over 180 elementary schools, and I'm pleased to see more programs are now reaching South Florida's children.

"We know that a child who is more comfortable around the water is safer around the water, and that teaching children how to swim saves lives. Children's pool safety is a public health issue everyone should support, and I thank all those at Miami-Dade Public Schools for being leaders in our community on this important issue for our children."

Source