Tina Knapp joins State Representative Addia Wuchner in Honoring Outstanding Health OrganizationsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE
February 8, 2007Representative Wuchner Announces Children's Health Initiative
Frankfort , KY , Feb. 8- Today at a press conference, State Representative Addia Wuchner and State Senate President Pro Tempore Katie Stine unveiled legislation announcing the "Healthy Kids Act 2007."
"The health of the children of this Commonwealth is not a partisan issue, “our concerns, our efforts and political wisdom calls us to rise above parties, other legislative agendas and address the issue of child's health related to overweight, obesity and physical activity," said Rep. Wuchner
HB 299 would require all public elementary and middle schools to implement 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week of structured, moderate to vigorous activity by the 2008-2009 school year. Schools would be permitted flexibility to design their own individual programs and hoe to implement, as long as the activities are completed in 10 minute segments.
Rep. Wuchner continued, “This legislation will not replace good parenting yet HB 299 is to ensure that during the six to seven hours our elementary and middle school children are engaged in learning there is opportunity for thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity.”
Sen. Stine, whose SB 110 proposes a similar agenda, said, "We have studied this issue enough to know that the time has come to make a firm commitment to save our children from this epidemic. This bills works directly on improving the quality of life for the next generation of Kentuckians."
During the press conference, Rep. Wuchner and Sen. Stine were joined by professionals who endorsed their legislation:
- Patty Young, president of the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association
- Dr. Baretta Casey , UK Center for Rural Health and President of the Kentucky Medical Association
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association
- American Diabetes Association
- Kentucky Youth Advocates
"Since schools provide an ideal setting to engage students in regular physical activity, schools are well positioned to be part of the solution. I believe increasing opportunities for physical activity does not have to compete with academics,” added Rep. Wuchner.
