1-1     By:  Coleman (Senate Sponsor - Moncrief)             H.C.R. No. 223
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House May 7, 2001;
 1-3     May 7, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on Health
 1-4     and Human Services; May 11, 2001, reported favorably by the
 1-5     following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 11, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                         HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-7           WHEREAS, Calcium deficient diets are clearly associated with
 1-8     many health disorders, including osteoporosis, hypertension,
 1-9     preeclampsia, and colon cancer; and
1-10           WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
1-11     Prevention, calcium deficient diets are an epidemic in America,
1-12     such that more than 50 percent of today's children cannot or will
1-13     not get their recommended daily intake of calcium; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Bones grow and incorporate calcium most rapidly
1-15     during the teen years, with approximately 90 percent of adult bone
1-16     mass being formed by age 17, but only 13 percent of teenage girls
1-17     get the calcium necessary to develop strong bones that support full
1-18     growth; and
1-19           WHEREAS, The National Institute of Child Health and Human
1-20     Development recognizes inadequate calcium consumption among
1-21     children and adolescents to be a growing problem and a serious
1-22     threat to their later health, growth, and development; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Certain foods, such as soft drinks or salt, rob the
1-24     body of calcium or increase its calcium need, and as a result many
1-25     children do not meet their body's requirement for calcium because
1-26     foods and beverages rich in calcium are being displaced by less
1-27     nutritious and wholesome fare; and
1-28           WHEREAS, Children can increase their calcium intake by
1-29     modifying their diet and beginning healthful eating habits while
1-30     they are young; now, therefore, be it
1-31           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-32     hereby acknowledge that calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are an
1-33     epidemic among Texas children, and that Texas primary and secondary
1-34     schools should offer students more calcium-rich foods and beverages
1-35     in their lunch and snack bar programs; and, be it further
1-36           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-37     hereby direct the Texas Department of Health to prepare a list of
1-38     available foods and beverages that are naturally fortified with
1-39     calcium and vitamin D and forward the list, along with a copy of
1-40     this resolution, to the Texas Education Agency and to every school
1-41     superintendent, school board, Parent-Teacher Association, and
1-42     primary and secondary school in the state; and, be it further
1-43           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
1-44     copy of this resolution to the chair of the Texas Board of Health,
1-45     to the commissioner of health of the Texas Department of Health, to
1-46     the commissioner of education of the Texas Education Agency, and to
1-47     every school superintendent, school board, and Parent-Teacher
1-48     Association in the state.
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