,,iv #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,,res4 #cdb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #a1 #bjai,mr4 ,evans 7for himself and ,ms4 ,dean7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,,resolution ,supporting the goals and ideals of ,national ,healthy ,schools ,day4 ,whereas children spend up to half of their day in schools and their environs2 ,whereas schools have the potential to expose children to a broad array of hazards1 including air and drinking water contaminants1 toxic substances in the soil1 synthetic turf and other media1 lead-based paints1 pesticides1 and other toxins within and outside of schools1 asthma-causing pollutants1 molds1 radon1 and asbestos2 ,whereas despite the need to address unsafe levels of lead in school drinking water across the country1 in #bjai1 the ,healthy ,schools ,network reported that as of ,november #bjah only #i ,states required public schools to test at the tap for lead2 and further1 the ,t4,h4 ,chan ,school of ,public ,health at ,harvard ,university and the ,nutrition ,policy ,institute at the ,university of ,california also reported that only #be ,states had school drinking water initiatives between ,january #a1 #bjaf1 and ,february #bh1 #bjah2 ,whereas a #aiie ,government ,accountability ,office 7,,gao7 report on ,condition of ,america's ,schools--the only ,,gao study on this issue--determined that poor school facility conditions were concentrated in high-poverty schools serving students of color1 placing millions of children at risk2 ,whereas according to a #bjad ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention survey1 only #df4e percent of schools had a program in place to address indoor air quality issues2 and further1 that fewer ,states and districts in #bjad than in #bjaj were addressing indoor air2 ,whereas children may also be exposed to toxic contaminants when schools are sited near environmental hazards such as hazardous waste disposal sites1 or when schools are renovated or expanded while school is in session2 ,whereas the ,t4,h4 ,chan ,school of ,public ,health ,schools for ,health study reported that the environmental conditions of schools affect children's health1 thinking1 and learning2 ,whereas environmental contaminants can affect children quite differently than adults1 both because children may be more highly exposed to contaminants and they may be more vulnerable to the toxic effects of contaminants2 and further1 environmental contaminants can affect children disproportionately since their immune defenses are not fully developed and their growing organs are more easily harmed2 ,whereas these environmental problems contribute to absenteeism1 child medication use1 learning difficulties1 sick building syndrome1 staff turnover1 and greater liability for school districts2 ,whereas there has been a significant rise in the incidence of childhood asthma1 learning disabilities1 and cancer2 ,whereas a #bjah study1 ,heat and ,learning1 by the ,national ,bureau of ,economic ,research1 found that in schools without air conditioning1 for every #a ,fahrenheit degree increase in school year temperature1 the amount learned by students that year goes down by #a percent2 ,whereas a #bjaf report by the #bast ,century ,school ,fund found that1 between #bjab and #bjac1 the average age of the main building of a public school was #dd years old2 ,whereas1 in #bjag1 the ,american ,society of ,civil ,engineers infrastructure report card stated #ec percent of schools needed to make investments for repairs1 renovations1 and modernizations to be considered to be in good condition2 ,whereas environmental1 public health1 and education laws must reflect a heightened sensitivity to the more susceptible nature of children and the mechanisms by which exposures and impacts affect children2 ,whereas providing for the rights of children1 parents1 teachers and other educators1 and the public to access information about known hazards in schools will allow these persons to make informed choices about environmental exposures for their children and themselves2 ,whereas healthy and high-performance schools are designed to reduce energy and maintenance costs1 while providing cleaner indoor air and environmental quality1 improved lighting1 reduced exposures to toxic substances1 materials and supplies1 thereby providing a healthier and safer learning environment for children and work environment for personnel1 fostering attendance1 achievement1 and productivity2 ,whereas the ,house of ,representatives has been a consistent and powerful advocate for the protection of our children and a strong supporter of public education2 ,whereas the ,house of ,representatives seeks to promote healthy learning places for all children and workplaces for school personnel2 ,whereas ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and private sector entities should work together to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently to address environmental health and safety conditions of schools2 and ,whereas ,may #a1 #bjai1 is recognized as ,national ,healthy ,schools ,day3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,house of ,representatives-- 7#a7 supports the goals and ideals of ,national ,healthy ,schools ,day2 7#b7 recognizes the importance of improving our children's aging school buildings2 7#c7 encourages ,state and local governments1 including their public health1 education1 environment1 energy1 and labor agencies1 to coordinate their efforts to assist local schools1 and to publicize the importance of healthful learning environments in their communities2 and 7#d7 supports a national commitment to preventing the deterioration of our schools and to fixing our crumbling school facilities4