Congress endorses National Youth Sports Week.

After agreeing to co-chair the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports in May with NRPA playing a supporting role, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) continued his efforts to support youth sports across the country. In June, McIntyre brought a National Youth Sports Week Resolution to the full House of Representatives for a vote, and it passed 311-0.

This resolution will designate the second week of July as National Youth Sports Week to coincide with NRPA's celebration of Recreation and Parks Month.

McIntyre presented the bill with eight other co-sponsors, along with a letter from NRPA Executive Director John Thorner that supported the passage of National Youth Sports Week and was submitted for the record. The official resolution is below:

Whereas about 42 million children participate in organized sports each year;

Whereas children participating in organized sports tend to perform better in school, develop excellent interpersonal skills, and lead healthier lives;

Whereas organized youth sports help children increase their self-esteem, develop an appreciation of health and fitness, and become leaders within the community;

Whereas organized youth sports provide for regular physical activity and help combat increasing rates of childhood obesity; Whereas the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports was created, with great help and support from the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, Positive Coaching Alliance, and National Recreation and Park Association, to restore the focus in youth sports on the child's experience and character development;

Whereas far too many children quit participating in youth sports at a young age, many telling coaches and parents, "It just wasn't fire anymore";

Whereas the National Recreation and Park Association has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month;

Whereas many youth sports organizations gather at local parks and recreation facilities across the country; and

Whereas designating the second week in July as National Youth Sports Week would raise awareness of the important physical and emotional benefits of participating in youth sports and the need to promote sportsmanship among players, parents, coaches, and officials:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved,

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be established to promote awareness of the importance of youth sports and the need to restore the focus in youth sports on the child's experience and character development.