Bill Text: PA SR54 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing April 2009 as "Children and Nature Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-19 - Referred to AGING AND YOUTH [SR54 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR54-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 717
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 54 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY McILHINNEY, TOMLINSON, GREENLEAF AND WONDERLING, MARCH 19, 2009
REFERRED TO AGING AND YOUTH, MARCH 19, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2009 as "Children and Nature
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, During September 2008, the United States House of
Representatives voted to approve the No Child Left Inside Act of
2008 with the intent to require school systems to improve upon
environmental literacy, strengthen teacher training and provide
Federal grants to help schools fund outdoor education; and
WHEREAS, The No Child Left Inside Act was backed by
nationwide support from the rapidly growing No Child Left Inside
coalitions, including the No Child Left Inside - Bucks County
Coalition, whose vast and diverse membership includes
nonprofits, environmental organizations, recreational
organizations, municipalities, Bucks County Departments of
Health and Parks and Recreation, State legislators and the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and
WHEREAS, All members of the No Child Left Inside - Bucks
County Coalition recognize the pervasive need to help this
Commonwealth, its counties and municipalities and to provide
high-quality outdoor recreation and environmental instruction;
and
WHEREAS, A growing body of research indicates that a lack of
outdoor activity corresponds to increased rates in childhood
obesity, juvenile diabetes and attention deficit disorders; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation
and the Department of Health all work toward the goals of
reducing chronic illness in children, promoting physical
activity and healthy eating habits and educating and mobilizing
communities; and
WHEREAS, The members of the No Child Left Inside - Bucks
County Coalition work collectively to reconnect children and
nature via a growing network of individuals, organizations,
agencies and all levels of government to develop and promote
opportunities for all children to experience frequent, regular
play and exploration in natural outdoor settings; and
WHEREAS, The No Child Left Inside - Bucks County Coalition is
committed to the ongoing promotion of programs, policies and
practices that will reconnect children and nature in enduring,
meaningful ways that utilize the wealth of natural resources and
recreational opportunities afforded by the careful planning of
the General Assembly of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The No Child Left Inside - Bucks County Coalition
will host a community event, Turn Off, Step Out, Tune In...To
Nature, on April 11, 2009, at Doylestown Township's Central Park
in the County of Bucks; and
WHEREAS, Representatives from various organizations,
including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
will provide opportunities to educate and inspire families to
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reconnect with nature and this Commonwealth's parks, preserved
natural areas and recreation facilities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of April 2009
as "Children and Nature Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
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