PA Resolution for "National Healthy Schools Day" PASSES!!

In the House, April 7, 2008

Whereas "National Healthy Schools Day" observances in communities nationwide highlight the impact of school facilities and the school environment on child health, development,and academic achievement; and

Whereas, A healthy learning environment heightens student attendance and performance; and

Whereas, The Commonwealth is committed to the health of all students in public school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, career and technical education schools, and area vocational-technical schools; and

Whereas, The Department of Education, the Department of Health and other state agencies promote healthy schools policies in cooperation with school officials and community partners; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth has implemented guidelines to prevent or resolve indoor air quality problems in public school facilties, where young children with special needs are especially vulnerable to toxic mold and chemical exposure, which can affect their development, cause upper respiratory illnesses and contribute to learning disabilities; and

Whereas Indoor air quality can also affect attendance, concentration, and performance by both children and teachers, who normally spend 30 - 50 hours each week in school buildings; and

Whereas, A goal of "National Healthy Schools Day" is to raise awareness regarding air quality in our schools and to encourage schools to improve air quality by providing better ventilation, maintenance and cleaning of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and by using nontoxic cleaning products; and

Whereas, "National Healthy Schools Day" is the first day of "School Building Week," April 28 through May 2, 2008; therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes April 28, 2008, as "National Healthy Schools Day" in Pennsylvania.

I certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of House Resolution No. 682 introduced by Representatives Longietti, Beyer, Biancucci, Bishop, Boback, Brennan, Brooks, Caltagirone, Cohen, Conklin, Daley, DeLuca, DePasquale, DiGirolamo, Donatucci, Eachus, Everett, Fleck, Frankel, Freeman, Galloway, Geist, George, Gibbons, Gillespie, Gingrich, Goodman, Grucela, Harhart, Harkins, Helm, Hennessey, Hershey, Hess, M. Keller, Kenney, Killion, Kortz, Kotik, Kula, Mahoney, Major, Mann, Mantz, McCall, McGeehan, McIlhatton, McIlvaine Smith, Melio, Millard, Moyer, Mundy, Murt, Myers, M. O'Brien, O'Neill, Pallone, Parker, Payne, Petrone, Phillips, Ramaley, Readshaw, Reichley, Ross, Rubley, Sainato, Santoni, Saylor, Scavello, Siptroth, K. Smith, Solobay, Sonney, Staback, R. Stevenson, Swanger, True, Vulakovich, Wheatley, J. White, Wojnaroski, Youngblood, D. O'Brien, and adopted by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sealed and signed by Dennis M. O'Brien, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives