R 315

2003 -- S 1201

Enacted 07/02/03

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SCHOOL-AGE CHILD AND YOUTH OBESITY

Introduced By: Senator Elizabeth H. Roberts

Date Introduced: July 02, 2003

     WHEREAS, The proportion of American children who are overweight has increased

300% over the past 40 years; and

     WHEREAS, Overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adults with an

increased risk of many serious diseases and conditions; and

     WHEREAS, Changes in eating habits have resulted in increased intake of calories; and

changes in physical activity patterns has resulted in a decrease in calories expended; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby creates a special legislative commission to make recommendations on school-age child

and youth obesity prevention; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nineteen (19) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1)

of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Health, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be

the Director of the Department of Education, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a School

Principal in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the President of the Rhode Island Association of

Administrators; one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of

Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a

Superintendent of Schools in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the President of the Rhode Island

Association of Administrators; one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of the Rhode Island Food

Dealers Association, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island

Farm Bureau, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Parent

Teacher Association, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be President of the New England Dairy

& Food Council, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be Chairperson of the Rhode Island Sports

Council, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Rhode Island

Interscholastic League, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a director of a Rhode Island school

food service, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1) of whom shall be the

President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, or designee; one

(1) of whom shall be a Rhode Island registered dietician or nutritionist, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate; one (1) of whom shall be the President of Kids First!, or designee; and

one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Public Health Association, or

designee.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make recommendations on school-age child

and youth obesity prevention.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of said commission shall meet at

the call of the President of the Senate and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Senate no later than February 3, 2004 and said commission shall expire on April 3, 2004.

=======

LC03616

=======