Department Of Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 18, 2007)

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

The CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's amendment is not a healthy amendment.

As you pointed out, our children are more complacent than ever. Sometimes it is because of video games. In some parts of the country, it is because the streets aren't safe. In other parts of the country, it is because children are latchkey and moms and dads want to know where they are while they are working. So obesity is becoming a huge problem in this country. And in order for children to really be ready and prepared to learn, they have to be physically fit. They go together. I taught school. They go hand in hand.

The CDC has made childhood obesity and the obesity that is already occurring with adults a challenge for our country to get ahold of if we are going to be competitive, if we are going to have a healthy workforce, and if we are going to control our health care costs. What has happened with the No Child Left Behind Act, it was under funded by this Congress. It didn't come up with the dollars that the President promised. So school district after school district after school district, in order to balance their ledger with this unfunded mandate, have been cutting arts and they have been cutting physical education.

Now, I am pleased to hear that in your district you are able to maintain a phys ed teacher and you are able to maintain the things that you need to keep your children fit. But district after district has been cutting phys ed in order to pay for the unfunded tests in No Child Left Behind. And childhood obesity is a problem.

This might be the first generation that does not live as long as their parents. Now, my children and the children in my neighborhood, I would like to see them not only outlive me but outlive me in a very, very healthy lifestyle. And physical education is part of learning, mind and body, in order to be productive and healthy. This is going to keep America healthy, but it is also going to keep our health care costs down, which we know we have to get under control.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

The Acting CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, the gentleman from Georgia said we can eliminate the LEAP program because missions have been accomplished. The LEAP program is available for the poorest of the poor in this country. It's for people whose family incomes are less than $20,000. Poverty, unfortunately, still goes on in this country.

People who make less than $20,000 need help in order to obtain an education to allow them to be competitive and allow our country to be competitive against other countries which are investing dollar after dollar after dollar into educational opportunities for their individuals.

So the mission hasn't been accomplished until we eradicate poverty. So I would really urge Members to look closely at the language in the LEAP program. It also is matched by State dollars, and I would urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.

I yield back my time.

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