Sarah Noble School Walking Project

Floor Speech

Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, more than 52,000 miles in 4 weeks. That is what 10,000 steps, or 5 miles, every single day is. That's what the kids at Sarah Noble School in New Milford, Connecticut, accomplished in May. In their fourth annual school walking project for fifth graders, students lived by the "Triple E'' mantra: exercise, eating healthy, and protecting the environment. These students are putting themselves on a path to a healthier life by investing in walking. Healthy habits that can start now can pay off as they grow older because, as we know, obese youth are becoming an epidemic. They are more likely to have high-risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as Type II diabetes and several types of cancer.

We've got to break this cycle, and it starts with a single step, some healthy snacks, and keeping the air we breathe clean. At Sarah Noble School, fifth graders are already doing their part, and they have given me this pedometer to help me do the same. Together, we can all strive to be healthy, one step at a time.

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