Park and Recreation Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, recently, I introduced a resolution with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to designate July as Park and Recreation Month. It is a fitting time to celebrate our Federal, State, and local public parks and recreation systems because so many Americans will visit them this summer.

H. Res. 941 recognizes the important role that public parks, recreation facilities, and activities play in the lives of Americans, and the contributions of employees and volunteers who work daily to maintain our public parks and recreation facilities across the Nation.

As a lifelong resident of rural Pennsylvania and an avid outdoorsman, I strongly support our Nation's park and recreation facilities. Our parks provide countless recreational and educational opportunities for individuals and families to engage in the outdoors.

This resolution simply recognizes and supports Park and Recreation Month and the many benefits that our parks provide to all Americans. Our parks generate opportunities for people to come together and experience a sense of community. They pay dividends to communities by attracting businesses and jobs, and increasing housing values. In the United States, public park operations and capital spending generate nearly $140 million in economic activity annually.

Ninety percent of people in the United States agree that public park recreation facilities and activities are important government services, a figure that displays a base of support that spans across all people in the country regardless of race, income, gender, or political party affiliation. Nearly 75 percent of Americans agree that it is important to ensure that all members of their community have equitable access to public parks and recreation facilities.

The most economically sound communities are those with ample and healthy public park and recreation facilities and activities. In fact, a key factor in business expansion and location decisions is the quality of life for employees, with a premium placed on adequate and accessible public parks and open space.

Madam Speaker, public parks and recreation facilities foster a variety of activities that contribute to a healthier society. People who use public parks and open space are three times more likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity than nonusers.

Americans living within a 10-minute walk of a park have a higher level of physical activity and lower rates of obesity. Recreation programs in public parks provide children with a safe place to play, access to healthy foods, opportunities to be physically active, and enrichment facilities that help prevent at-risk behavior, such as drug use and gang involvement.

As schools recess for summer break, scores of Americans will visit public parks and recreation facilities to spend time outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors. We are blessed with beautiful outdoor facilities.

It is my hope that all Americans get out and enjoy the parks in their areas. They are tremendous community treasures.

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