THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY LONGIETTI, BISHOP, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIS, DEASY, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, EVERETT, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HESS, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, MATZIE, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MURT, MYERS, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SANTONI, SONNEY, STABACK, STERN, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TOOHIL, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WHEATLEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 16, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 16, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating April 24, 2012, as "Healthy Schools Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Children spend up to half of their day in schools

and their environs; and

WHEREAS, Schools have the potential to expose children to a

broad array of hazards, including air and drinking water

contaminants, toxic substances in the soil, synthetic turf and

other media, lead-based paints, pesticides and other toxins

within and outside of schools, asthma-causing pollutants, molds,

radon and asbestos; and

WHEREAS, Children may also be exposed to toxic contaminants

when schools are sited near environmental hazards, such as

hazardous waste disposal sites, or when schools are renovated or

expanded; and

WHEREAS, Environmental contaminants can affect children quite

differently than adults because children may be more highly

exposed to contaminants and they may be more vulnerable to the

toxic effects of contaminants; and 

WHEREAS, Environmental contaminants can affect children

disproportionately since their immune defenses are not fully

developed and their growing organs are more easily harmed; and

WHEREAS, Children eat more food, drink more water and breathe

more air relative to their size than adults do, and consequently

they may be exposed to relatively higher amounts of

contaminants; and

WHEREAS, Children's normal activities, such as putting their

hands in their mouths or playing on the ground, can result in

exposure to contamination that adults do not face; and

WHEREAS, These environmental problems contribute to

absenteeism, child medication use, learning difficulties, sick

building syndrome, staff turnover and greater liability for

school districts; and

WHEREAS, There has been a significant rise in the incidence

of childhood asthma, learning disabilities and cancer; and

WHEREAS, Environmental, public health and education laws must

reflect a heightened sensitivity to the more susceptible nature

of children and the mechanisms by which exposures and impacts

affect children; and

WHEREAS, Providing parents, teachers, other educators and the

public with access to information about known hazards in schools

will allow these persons to make informed choices about

environmental exposures for children and themselves; and

WHEREAS, Healthy and high-performance schools are designed to

reduce energy and maintenance costs while providing cleaner

indoor air and environmental quality, improved lighting and

reduced exposures to toxic substances, materials and supplies,

thereby providing a healthier and safer learning environment for

children and work environment for personnel, fostering

attendance, achievement and productivity; and 

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives has been a consistent

and powerful advocate for the protection of children of this

Commonwealth and a strong supporter of public education; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives seeks to promote

healthy learning places for all children and healthy workplaces

for school personnel; and

WHEREAS, Federal, State, local and private sector entities

should work together to ensure that resources are used

effectively and efficiently to address environmental health and

safety conditions of schools; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate April

24, 2012, as "Healthy Schools Day" in Pennsylvania.